Introduction / Context:
This is a vocabulary and usage question that tests knowledge of the correct verb to describe becoming a part of society. It highlights how language skills are essential for successful adjustment in a new country. The key idea is about immigrants blending into, fitting into, or becoming fully accepted members of the community. The correct answer must match this context both in meaning and typical usage in modern English.
Given Data / Assumptions:
- The sentence talks about immigrants, their ability to speak native languages, and their success in becoming part of a new society.
- The blank is followed by “themselves into society,” so we need a reflexive verb that fits grammatically before “themselves.”
- The options are: conjoin, interface, integrate, and reconciliate.
Concept / Approach:
We must find a verb that collocates naturally with “themselves into society” and expresses the idea of becoming a functional and accepted member of a community. In English, the standard expression is “to integrate into society.” The other options either have technical meanings or are not idiomatic with this structure. Checking collocations (typical word pairings) is an efficient way to solve such questions.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Understand the meaning of the sentence. It states that immigrants need language skills; otherwise, they will fail to become part of their new society.
Step 2: Consider “conjoin.” This means to join together or unite two things, but it is rarely used reflexively about people joining a social system. We normally say “conjoined twins” or “two ideas conjoin,” not “conjoin themselves into society.”
Step 3: Consider “interface.” This is mainly used for interaction between systems, devices, or sometimes groups, and it usually takes the preposition “with” rather than “into.” “Interface themselves into society” is unnatural and inaccurate.
Step 4: Consider “integrate.” This means to combine or become part of a group or society so that all separate elements work together. The common expression is “integrate into society,” which is exactly the sense required here.
Step 5: Consider “reconciliate.” The common verb in English is “reconcile,” not “reconciliate.” Even “reconcile” is used with people and differences, not with “themselves into society” in this form. Therefore, it is incorrect both in form and in collocation.
Step 6: Conclude that “integrate” is the only option that correctly and naturally completes the sentence.
Verification / Alternative check:
If we read the completed sentence with “integrate,” it becomes: “If immigrants do not learn to speak the native languages of their new countries, they will not be able to integrate themselves into society.” This is a very common and natural sentence in academic writing, newspapers, and discussions about migration. The meaning is clear and the grammar is correct. With any of the other options, the sentence would sound awkward or incorrect, which confirms the choice.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
- conjoin: Used for joining two or more objects or ideas together, not for people becoming part of a social system. It does not collocate with “themselves into society.”
- interface: Usually used in technical or organizational contexts with “with,” as in “interface with a system.” It does not express the idea of becoming part of society.
- reconciliate: This form is not standard; the usual verb is “reconcile.” Even then, one reconciles people or differences, not “themselves into society” in this structure.
Common Pitfalls:
A typical mistake is to choose a word that sounds advanced or technical, like “interface,” without checking if it truly fits the context and preposition. Students may also be misled by “conjoin” because it looks similar to “join,” but the usage pattern is different. Another pitfall is not recognizing that “reconciliate” is not a standard English verb. The safest strategy in exams is to rely on common collocations that you have seen in reliable English usage, such as “integrate into society.”
Final Answer:
The correct word to complete the sentence is
integrate.
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