In the passage about photography as a way to stop time, choose the correct form of the adjective to complete the sentence "Photography is the _____________ we can get to stopping time".

Introduction / Context:
This cloze passage uses poetic language to describe photography as a way of freezing moments. The sentence in focus is Photography is the blank we can get to stopping time. The blank must be filled with a word that completes the comparison in a grammatically correct and meaningful way. The phrase the blank we can get to stopping time suggests a superlative idea, so we must look for the adjective form that fits this structure.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- The sentence structure is Photography is the blank we can get to stopping time. - The options are close, closest, closeness, and closely. - The is already placed before the blank, signalling that a noun or superlative adjective may follow. - The intended meaning is that photography is the best or nearest way to stop time.

Concept / Approach:
The phrase the closest we can get to something is a standard English expression meaning the nearest possible approach. The presence of the before the blank and the comparison implicit in can get to stopping time point clearly to the superlative adjective closest. Close by itself is a positive degree adjective. Closeness is a noun meaning nearness. Closely is an adverb. Therefore, the word that both fits the grammar and expresses the idea of maximum nearness is closest.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Insert close: Photography is the close we can get to stopping time. This is ungrammatical because close here needs a superlative form. Step 2: Insert closest: Photography is the closest we can get to stopping time. This sounds natural and expresses the intended meaning. Step 3: Insert closeness: Photography is the closeness we can get to stopping time. This construction is not idiomatic and does not follow a common pattern. Step 4: Insert closely: Photography is the closely we can get to stopping time. This is clearly incorrect because closely is an adverb. Step 5: Recognise that only the superlative adjective closest forms a correct and idiomatic expression after the. Step 6: Choose closest as the word that completes both the grammar and the poetic idea.

Verification / Alternative check:
We can test with similar constructions: This is the closest we can get to a perfect solution. This is the closest you will come to flying without wings. These examples show the common pattern the closest we can get to. Replacing closest with close, closeness, or closely would make them incorrect. Returning to the passage, photography is being presented as the nearest possible experience to freezing time. Hence, the correct and idiomatic phrase is Photography is the closest we can get to stopping time.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A, close, is wrong because it is not in the required superlative form after the, and the structure the close we can get is not used in English. Option C, closeness, is wrong because it is a noun, and the phrase requires a superlative adjective for a natural reading. Option D, closely, is wrong because it is an adverb, and the sentence needs an adjective to describe the state of being near to stopping time.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes forget to look at the word the before the blank and focus only on the meaning of close. Any time you see the plus a word that compares degree, you should consider whether a superlative is needed. The pattern the nearest, the farthest, and the closest we can get to is extremely common in English and worth memorising. Recognising this pattern quickly can save time and avoid mistakes in cloze tests and reading comprehension passages.

Final Answer:
The correct answer is closest.