Difficulty: Medium
Correct Answer: with
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
This question again comes from the same technical style passage that explains how pressure and fuel flow affect the flame in a kerosene pump stove. The blank appears in the sentence With the increase in pressure, the burner flame would spread _________ a loud noise. The task is to supply the correct preposition that links the verb would spread to the accompanying description a loud noise. This tests accurate use of prepositions and natural English phrasing in a scientific or mechanical context.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
In English, the preposition with is commonly used to express accompaniment or association. When we say something happens with a loud noise, we mean that the action and the noise occur together. Therefore, would spread with a loud noise is the most natural and grammatically correct combination. The other prepositions within, at, and during convey different relationships that do not fit the intended sense of accompaniment between flame and sound.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Read the full sentence to understand that the flame behaviour and the noise are simultaneous events caused by rising pressure.
Step 2: Identify that the blank links the verb would spread to the noun phrase a loud noise.
Step 3: Recall typical English patterns for describing actions accompanied by sounds, for example shout with anger, move with grace, or burst with a loud bang.
Step 4: Check each option by inserting it into the sentence and asking whether the resulting phrase is idiomatic: within a loud noise, with a loud noise, at a loud noise, during a loud noise.
Step 5: Conclude that only would spread with a loud noise sounds natural and accurately expresses accompaniment.
Verification / Alternative check:
Another way to check is to rephrase the sentence: When pressure increased, the flame spread, and there was a loud noise. The relationship between spreading and noise is clearly that they happen together. In English, we usually compress this idea into a single phrase using with, which further confirms the correctness of would spread with a loud noise. Native like usage strongly favours with in such cause and effect process descriptions.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
within: This suggests location inside something, such as within the room, and does not work with a loud noise because a noise is not a container for the flame.
at: This preposition can describe time or reaction, as in at noon or shout at someone, but spread at a loud noise is awkward and unclear.
during: During is used with time periods, such as during the night or during the meeting. A loud noise is an event, not a period, and during a loud noise sounds forced and unnatural here.
Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to focus too much on literal meanings of prepositions and forget typical patterns. Students may overthink and pick during because they believe the flame spreads while the noise is happening. However, experienced users of English express this idea with with to show accompaniment instead of during to show duration. To avoid such errors, always ask which preposition you have actually heard in similar sentences in reading or listening practice.
Final Answer:
The correct phrase is the burner flame would spread with a loud noise.
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