Fill in the blank with the most appropriate word:\n"Repetition bred a sense of ________ with the characters."

Introduction / Context:
This question tests basic vocabulary and correct word form. The sentence refers to repeated exposure to characters, most likely in a novel or television series, and how that repetition affects the reader or viewer. You must pick the word that fits both grammatically and semantically to express the idea of growing closeness or recognition with the characters.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The sentence is: "Repetition bred a sense of ________ with the characters."
• Options: "familiarity", "familiar", "familiarly", "familiarise".
• We assume standard usage where "a sense of" is followed by a noun expressing a feeling or state.

Concept / Approach:
The key concepts are correct choice of noun versus adjective versus adverb, and knowledge of collocations. The phrase "a sense of" normally takes an abstract noun, such as "a sense of duty", "a sense of joy", or "a sense of urgency". Therefore, in "a sense of ________", the blank must be filled by a noun that names the feeling produced by repetition. The natural noun is "familiarity", which means the quality or state of being well known or intimate with someone or something.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify the grammatical pattern: "a sense of" + noun. So we first check which options are nouns.Step 2: Examine "familiarity". This is a noun meaning closeness or ease of recognition. It fits the pattern "a sense of familiarity".Step 3: Examine "familiar". This is an adjective, as in "a familiar face". It cannot directly follow "of" after "a sense of" in this structure.Step 4: Examine "familiarly". This is an adverb, usually used to modify verbs or adjectives, for example "he smiled familiarly". It is not appropriate after "of".Step 5: Examine "familiarise". This is a verb meaning to make someone acquainted with something. A verb does not fit grammatically after "of".Step 6: Conclude that "familiarity" is the only option that matches both the grammatical pattern and the intended meaning.

Verification / Alternative check:
Read the complete sentence with each possibility to test the sound and sense. "Repetition bred a sense of familiarity with the characters" flows smoothly and clearly expresses that repeated exposure helped the reader or viewer feel more at ease with the characters. In contrast, "a sense of familiar", "a sense of familiarly", and "a sense of familiarise" are ungrammatical and sound awkward, confirming that "familiarity" is correct.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• "Familiar": As an adjective, it cannot directly follow "of" in the phrase "a sense of", which expects a noun.
• "Familiarly": As an adverb, it normally modifies actions or adjectives, not a noun phrase like "a sense of".
• "Familiarise": As a verb, it would need auxiliary verbs or a different structure, such as "to familiarise oneself with". It does not fit this noun phrase.

Common Pitfalls:
Examinees sometimes attempt to substitute adjectives after "of" because they focus only on meaning and not on form. Another pitfall is confusion between related derivatives of a root word, like "familiar", "familiarity", "familiarly", and "familiarise". A good strategy is to memorise common frames such as "a sense of + noun". When you see those frames in an exam, shortlist only the options with the correct part of speech.

Final Answer:
The correct word is "familiarity", giving the complete sentence: "Repetition bred a sense of familiarity with the characters."