In the following passage on technical skill and teaching, some of the words have been left out; read the passage carefully and select the correct answer for the given blank out of the four alternatives. Technical skill ____________ to the ability and knowledge to use the pedagogy, tools and techniques involved in the teaching and research of a specific subject. Ability in programming or software designing and operating a computer is, ___________ instance, a technical skill. There are two things a teacher should understand __________ transformational technical skills. In the first place, he must know __________ skill and what level of skill should be applied on a particular student. He should be ____________ enough with their potential to ask discerning questions. Secondly, a teacher must understand the role of each event organised and the transformational skill applied, and the inter relationships between the events and skills. Technical skill ____________ to the ability.

Introduction / Context:
This cloze passage deals with the concept of technical skill in the field of teaching and learning. The first blank you must fill completes the definition of technical skill. Correctly choosing the verb here is crucial because it sets the grammatical pattern for the rest of the sentence and ensures that the definition reads smoothly and formally.

Given Data / Assumptions:
The key sentence is Technical skill ____________ to the ability and knowledge to use the pedagogy, tools and techniques involved in the teaching and research of a specific subject. The subject is the singular noun phrase technical skill. The words that follow describe a definition, namely the ability and knowledge to use certain methods and tools.

Concept / Approach:
In formal English, when we present definitions, we commonly use the simple present tense of a linking or defining verb, such as means, denotes, or refers to. The expression refers to the ability is a standard way of stating what a term means. Because the subject technical skill is singular, the verb must also be singular in form. The simple present of refer for a singular subject is refers, not refer. Other forms like reference or referred do not fit grammatically in this position.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify the subject technical skill as singular.Step 2: Recall that we use the simple present tense for general truths and definitions.Step 3: Choose the base verb refer and apply the correct singular form in simple present, which is refers.Step 4: Insert the verb into the sentence: Technical skill refers to the ability and knowledge to use the pedagogy, tools and techniques involved in the teaching and research of a specific subject.Step 5: Read the sentence with the inserted verb to check for natural flow and correctness.

Verification / Alternative check:
If you try other options, the sentence becomes ungrammatical or unnatural. Technical skill refer to the ability breaks subject verb agreement. Technical skill reference to the ability does not work because reference is a noun, not a verb in this context. Technical skill referred to the ability uses past tense and suggests a completed action, which is inappropriate for a timeless definition. Technical skill relates to the ability is possible in some contexts but in this passage the repeated wording at the end clearly expects the exact expression refers to the ability, making refers the precise answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
refer lacks the necessary s for a singular subject in the simple present tense. reference changes the part of speech and disrupts the structure. referred moves the action to the past instead of expressing a general definition. relates would change the collocation pattern used in the rest of the passage, which consistently depends on the phrase refers to. Therefore, they are not the best fit for a formal definitional sentence.

Common Pitfalls:
Some candidates overlook subject verb agreement when focusing on meaning and choose refer because they recognise the phrase refer to. Others may not notice that the passage repeats the same sentence later, which strongly hints at the correct form. Always ensure that your chosen verb agrees with the subject in number and tense, especially in definition style sentences.

Final Answer:
The correct verb for the blank is refers, giving Technical skill refers to the ability and knowledge to use the pedagogy, tools and techniques involved in the teaching and research of a specific subject.