In the same passage, choose the preposition that best completes the sentence "Goodness becomes a stencil fixed ________ time."

Introduction / Context:
This final cloze item in the passage focuses on choosing the correct preposition to complete the phrase "fixed ________ time". The sentence "Goodness becomes a stencil fixed ________ time" continues the metaphor of goodness turning into something rigid and unchanging. The question tests your familiarity with natural prepositional collocations in English. Prepositions often appear in fixed combinations with certain adjectives and participles, and "fixed in time" is one such common expression.

Given Data / Assumptions:

Sentence: "Goodness becomes a stencil fixed ________ time."
Options: of, in, with, about.
The image is of something frozen or unmoving with respect to time.
We must select the preposition that typically follows "fixed" in such contexts.
The earlier parts of the passage speak of acts of goodness being frozen or preserved, reinforcing this metaphor.

Concept / Approach:
In English, we commonly say "fixed in time" to convey the idea that something does not change as time passes or that it belongs permanently to a particular moment or era. The preposition "in" connects the state of being fixed with the dimension or framework of time. The other options form phrases that are either unidiomatic or carry different meanings, such as "fixed with", "fixed of", or "fixed about". The key is to recall which combinations you have actually seen in authentic language usage.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Focus on the phrase "fixed ________ time" and recall similar phrases like "frozen in time" or "trapped in time". Step 2: Test option A, "of". "Fixed of time" does not form a recognised phrase and sounds unnatural. Step 3: Test option B, "in". "Fixed in time" is a familiar and idiomatic expression meaning unchanged over time. Step 4: Test option C, "with". "Fixed with time" could suggest that something is set together with time, but this is not a standard phrase for the intended meaning. Step 5: Test option D, "about". "Fixed about time" is awkward and does not match any known collocation. Step 6: Conclude that "in" is the only option that completes a normal English expression.

Verification / Alternative check:
Read the full sentence using option B: "Goodness becomes a stencil fixed in time." This echoes common literary phrases such as "a moment fixed in time" and "figures frozen in time". These expressions describe situations where movement and change have stopped. The rest of the passage also uses imagery like being embedded in amber and standing inflexibly, which supports this reading. Trying the other options aloud reveals that they do not create such a recognisable or fluent phrase.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A, of, is wrong because "fixed of time" is not idiomatic and does not express a clear relationship between the state and time.
Option C, with, is wrong because "fixed with time" could mistakenly suggest being attached together with time, but this is not a standard way to express the notion of being unchanged.
Option D, about, is wrong because "fixed about time" has no established meaning and sounds unnatural in literary prose.

Common Pitfalls:
In preposition questions, students sometimes choose based on loose associations rather than specific collocations. To avoid this, try to remember actual examples from reading, such as "frozen in time" or "lodged in history". Building a mental library of such phrases makes cloze tasks easier. When in doubt, gently read the sentence aloud in your mind and see which option feels most natural in continuous speech. With practice, your ear for correct prepositional usage will improve significantly.

Final Answer:
in