Complete the sentence by choosing the most appropriate verb: "Do not _____ your own personal views upon the reader."

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: impose

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
This question tests your knowledge of precise vocabulary and verb usage in formal English. The sentence is about how a writer should behave towards the reader. Good writing usually presents arguments and information fairly instead of forcing personal opinions onto the audience. The verb that correctly captures the idea of wrongly forcing views on someone is "impose".


Given Data / Assumptions:
- Sentence: "Do not _____ your own personal views upon the reader."
- Options: expose, interpose, express, impose, oppose.
- We must choose the verb that best completes the sentence in a natural and meaningful way.


Concept / Approach:
The phrase "impose your views upon someone" is a standard collocation in English. It means to force your opinions on another person, not giving them the freedom to form their own judgment. The other verbs, such as "express" or "expose", have different nuances and do not include the idea of pressure or compulsion. Therefore, "impose" is the best fit.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Read the full sentence with each option mentally inserted to test which sounds natural and meaningful.
Step 2: "Do not expose your own personal views upon the reader" is awkward; "expose" usually takes objects like "secrets" or "facts" and often uses "to", not "upon".
Step 3: "Do not interpose your own personal views upon the reader" is rare and unnatural; "interpose" means to insert something in between.
Step 4: "Do not express your own personal views upon the reader" is grammatically possible but does not convey the idea of forcing them on the reader.
Step 5: "Do not impose your own personal views upon the reader" is a very common and idiomatic expression that exactly matches the intended meaning.


Verification / Alternative check:
Consider similar advice to writers or speakers: "Teachers should not impose their political views on students" or "Leaders must not impose their beliefs on the public." In all such sentences, "impose" is used with "on/upon" to show forcing or pressing opinions or rules onto others. The same pattern applies here with "upon the reader". This confirms that "impose" is the correct answer.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
- Expose: usually means to reveal something hidden, such as "expose corruption", and it takes different prepositions.

- Interpose: means to insert something between two things, often used in physical or conversational contexts ("interpose comments"), not for forcing views.
- Express: simply means to state or show; a writer can express views without imposing them.
- Oppose: means to resist or stand against something, which does not fit with "upon the reader".


Common Pitfalls:
Because "express" and "impose" both relate to opinions, candidates sometimes choose "express" by mistake. To avoid this, remember that "express" is neutral, while "impose" includes the idea of unwanted pressure. In exam questions, collocations like "impose views on/upon" are strongly preferred to capture this nuance.


Final Answer:
The correct verb is "impose": "Do not impose your own personal views upon the reader."

Discussion & Comments

No comments yet. Be the first to comment!
Join Discussion