Select the most appropriate pair of words to fill in the blanks in the following sentence:-
The hikers walked ____ the open field and then made their way _____ the dense forest.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → across, through
Prepositions of movement:
- Across means from one side to the other of an open, flat surface.
- Through means from one end to the other of something that surrounds you.
- This sentence: the hikers walked across the open field and then made their way through the dense forest, with trees all around them.
- Complete sentence: The hikers walked across the open field and then made their way through the dense forest.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: along, over — Incorrect.
- Along means following the length of a line such as a road or river, not crossing a field.
- "Over the dense forest" would mean flying above it.
Example: We walked along the river bank.
Option 2: around, under — Incorrect.
- Around means moving in a circle about something.
- "Under the dense forest" would mean below the ground. Neither word describes a walk forward into the trees.
Example: The children ran around the tree.
Option 3: into, beside — Incorrect.
- Into means entering something, which does not suit an open field.
- Beside means next to, so "made their way beside the forest" would not take them into it.
Example: She sat beside her friend in class.
Contrast: "across" is from one side to the other of an open surface. "Through" is from one end to the other of something that surrounds you.