In the same passage, select the correct option to fill the blank in the clause: “and readers ___________ English into an easy control of this language than the command of the phrase that perfectly expresses the thought.”

Introduction:
This cloze passage question tests sensitivity to prepositions that follow certain nouns and phrases in formal English. The line refers to speakers and readers of a particular language, in this case English, who are being led into an easy control of that language. The missing preposition must correctly link speakers and readers with English in a way that mirrors natural collocation and grammatical rules.

Given Data / Assumptions:

- Passage fragment: to lead speakers and readers ___________ English into an easy control of this language. - Options: for, of, from, at. - The phrase speakers and readers describes people, not the language itself. - The preposition must show their relationship to English, the language being learned or used.

Concept / Approach:
In English, we usually say speakers of English, readers of Hindi, writers of French, and so on. The preposition of links the person description to the language or subject. The phrase speakers and readers of English naturally follows this pattern. The preposition for might show purpose, from might show origin, and at might describe skill level, but none of these fits the standard collocation between speakers and readers and the language name. Therefore, of is the correct choice.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recognise the common expression speakers of a language, readers of a language, and teachers of a subject. Step 2: Insert of into the blank and read the phrase aloud: speakers and readers of English. Step 3: Test other prepositions briefly: speakers and readers for English, from English, at English, and notice that all sound unnatural. Step 4: Confirm that of correctly indicates that English is the language used or studied by these speakers and readers. Step 5: Select of as the answer that preserves both grammar and collocation.

Verification / Alternative check:
Look at parallel examples: learners of English, students of physics, and lovers of music. In all these expressions, of connects the noun representing people with the subject or field. Replacing of with for, from, or at would produce ungrammatical or highly unusual expressions such as learners for English or students at physics, which supports our choice in this passage.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
For usually follows a word like effort, plan, or desire and indicates purpose or benefit, as in efforts for reform, which is not implied here. From would suggest origin or source, as in speakers from England, a different sense altogether. At might be used in phrases like good at English, where English is a skill, but speakers and readers at English is not a standard form. Hence these options do not fit the structure of the sentence.

Common Pitfalls:
In cloze tests, preposition blanks can be tricky because multiple options seem possible in isolation. Always examine standard combinations such as noun plus of plus subject or skill. Reading widely and noticing such patterns in authentic texts is one of the best ways to improve accuracy in these questions. Practising with common phrases like speakers of English and readers of novels also strengthens memory.

Final Answer:
of correctly completes the phrase speakers and readers of English in the given passage.