Choose the appropriate word to fill in the blank in the given sentence:-
The South of Oman is the cradle ____________ frankincense, the aromatic 'white gold'.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → of
"The cradle of":
- A cradle is a baby's bed; used figuratively, the cradle of something is the place where it began or grew up.
- The noun "cradle" in this sense is always followed by the preposition of.
- This sentence: southern Oman is the place where frankincense comes from, so it is "the cradle of frankincense".
- Complete sentence: The South of Oman is the cradle of frankincense, the aromatic 'white gold'.
Example: Greece is often called the cradle of democracy.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: for — Incorrect. For shows purpose or benefit; "the cradle for frankincense" would mean a bed made for frankincense.
Example: This knife is for cutting bread.
Option 3: in — Incorrect. In shows position inside a place; it does not link "cradle" to what began there.
Example: The keys are in the drawer.
Option 4: by — Incorrect. By shows the doer of an action, a means, or nearness; none of these links "cradle" to the place where frankincense began.
Example: The novel was written by Premchand.