Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: imminent
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
This question tests your understanding of similar looking English words with different meanings: "eminent", "imminent", "emanate", and "emanant". The sentence is: "With the amount of conflicts in the world, a Third World War is ________." You must choose the word that correctly expresses the idea that such a war might happen very soon.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
The word "imminent" means "about to happen very soon" and is therefore the correct choice in this context. "Eminent" means "famous, respected, or important" and is usually used to describe people or occasionally things, not future events. "Emanate" is a verb meaning "to come out from a source", as in "Light emanates from the sun." "Emanant" is not a standard adjective in everyday English and would not fit this sentence. Since the sentence requires an adjective describing the likelihood and closeness of a Third World War, "imminent" is the only word that fits accurately.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify what the blank is describing: "a Third World War".Step 2: Recognise that the sentence suggests this war may occur soon due to the high number of conflicts.Step 3: Recall that "imminent" means "likely to happen very soon", which matches this idea.Step 4: Check the grammatical role: the blank follows the verb "is", so we need an adjective, not a verb.Step 5: Confirm that "imminent" is an adjective, while "emanate" is a verb and the others do not express the intended meaning.
Verification / Alternative check:
Insert each option into the sentence to test it. "A Third World War is emanate" is ungrammatical because "emanate" is a verb and cannot directly follow "is" as a predicate adjective here. "A Third World War is emanant" is not standard usage and does not convey a clear meaning. "A Third World War is eminent" incorrectly suggests that the war is famous or distinguished, which is not logical. "A Third World War is imminent" correctly expresses that such a war may be near in time, which is exactly what the context suggests.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Common Pitfalls:
Because "eminent" and "imminent" sound similar, many learners confuse them. A simple way to remember the difference is: "eminent people" (famous, respected individuals) versus "imminent events" (about to happen soon). Also note that "emanate" is related to movement outward from a source and not to the timing of an event. Keeping these distinctions in mind will help you answer vocabulary questions that involve commonly confused words.
Final Answer:
The correct word is "imminent", so the complete sentence reads: "With the amount of conflicts in the world, a Third World War is imminent."
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