In the passage on restorative justice, fill in the blank with the most suitable word: Restorative justice is distinct from mediation though it involves meetings and dialogues to fix responsibility for wrongdoing and to find a solution acceptable to __________ three parties.

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: all

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
This cloze question tests understanding of simple but important quantifiers in English. The passage explains that restorative justice seeks a solution acceptable to every party involved. The blank must be filled with a word that correctly completes the phrase referring to the three parties who participate in the process.


Given Data / Assumptions:


    Sentence: "to find a solution acceptable to __________ three parties."

    The passage has already made it clear that there are three primary parties, for example victim, offender, and community or state.

    The options are "all", "entire", "full", and "complete".

    The correct word must form a natural phrase in English.


Concept / Approach:


    When we refer to a small countable group like "three parties", we usually use the quantifier "all" as in "all three parties".

    "Entire" normally precedes singular nouns such as "the entire group" or "the entire city".

    "Full" and "complete" also do not collocate with "three parties" in this structure.

    Therefore, we expect the phrase "all three parties".


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Note that "three parties" is a plural, countable noun phrase. Step 2: Evaluate option a, "all". The phrase "all three parties" is common and natural, meaning every one of the three parties involved. Step 3: Evaluate option b, "entire". We normally say "the entire three parties" only rarely, and it sounds awkward; "entire" usually modifies singular nouns. Step 4: Evaluate option c, "full". Phrases such as "full three parties" do not make sense; "full" is more often used with "full number" or "full support". Step 5: Evaluate option d, "complete". The phrase "complete three parties" is incorrect in this context. Step 6: Hence, "all" is the only choice that fits in both grammar and meaning, giving "acceptable to all three parties".


Verification / Alternative check:
In discussions about conflict resolution, we often read phrases like "find a solution acceptable to all parties concerned" or "acceptable to all three parties". This confirms that "all" is the natural quantifier in such official or academic writing. Therefore, option a is consistent with common usage and the intended meaning of inclusiveness.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option b is wrong because "entire three parties" is not a standard expression and does not sound natural. Option c is wrong because "full three parties" is grammatically incorrect, as "full" does not work this way with plural countable nouns. Option d is wrong because "complete three parties" again fails to form a recognised phrase and does not express the idea of every party involved.


Common Pitfalls:
Learners sometimes select words like "entire" or "complete" because they sound formal or strong, without checking their typical usage. Another pitfall is ignoring the fact that "three parties" is plural; this leads to wrong combinations. To avoid such errors, it is important to read whole phrases, not just individual words, and to remember common collocations like "all three".


Final Answer:
The correct answer is: all.

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