In the following sentence, a blank is given. Choose the correct word to fill in the blank. Since my father was an _____________ from India, he brought his Indian culture and traditions to the United States with him.

Introduction / Context:
This vocabulary question tests the learner's understanding of similar looking words related to movement between countries: "emigrant" and "immigrant". The sentence describes a father who moved from India to the United States and carried his culture with him. The correct choice depends on understanding which term is used from the perspective of the country that is left and which is used from the perspective of the country that is entered.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The father moved from India to the United States.
• The sentence says "was an _____________ from India".
• He brought his Indian culture and traditions with him to the United States.
• The options include "emigrant", "immigrant", "native", and "citizen".

Concept / Approach:
The key concept is the distinction between "emigrant" and "immigrant". A person is called an "emigrant" when we speak from the point of view of the country that person leaves. The same person is called an "immigrant" when we speak from the point of view of the country that person enters. Since the sentence explicitly uses the phrase "from India", it emphasises the country he departed. Therefore "emigrant" from India is the most appropriate term in this structure. The other options do not match the grammatical or contextual requirements of the sentence.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify the direction of movement: the father left India and went to the United States. Step 2: Note the exact wording "was an _____________ from India". This highlights the country of origin. Step 3: Recall that "emigrant" refers to a person who leaves a country, while "immigrant" refers to a person who comes into a new country. Step 4: Fit each option into the sentence: "was an emigrant from India" sounds natural and correct, whereas "was an immigrant from India" is less precise for this wording. Step 5: Confirm that "native" and "citizen" do not convey the specific idea of leaving one country and settling in another, so they are unsuitable here.

Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, we can create two different sentences. From the perspective of India, one says, "He is an emigrant from India." From the perspective of the United States, one says, "He is an immigrant to the United States." The question sentence clearly takes the "from India" viewpoint, so "emigrant" is the most accurate term. Additionally, grammar references and exam books often give this exact contrast as a classic example, supporting this choice.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Emigrant: This correctly describes a person who has left India to settle in another country and matches the phrase "from India", so it is the correct answer.
• Immigrant: This would be used more naturally with "to" a country ("an immigrant to the United States") rather than "from India", so it is less accurate here.
• Native: This only indicates that the person was born in a particular place; it does not show that he has left that place to live elsewhere.
• Citizen: This refers to legal membership in a state and does not specifically express the idea of migration from one country to another.

Common Pitfalls:
Many learners confuse "emigrant" and "immigrant" because they look and sound similar. Some may also rely on frequency and pick "immigrant" since it is more commonly heard in media. However, examinations often test precise usage rather than common spoken habits. A helpful memory trick is that "emigrant" starts with "e" like "exit", while "immigrant" starts with "i" like "into". Remembering this simple association can prevent mistakes in such questions.

Final Answer:
The correct word to fill the blank is emigrant.