Choose from the options given below, the word that can be used to fill in the blank in the given sentence.
______he worked so hard, he couldn't pass the examination.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Although
Although (or 'though' or 'even though') is a conjunction used to introduce a subordinate clause which expresses a concession or a contrast. It indicates that despite the fact that he worked hard, the unexpected outcome was that he couldn't pass.
Let's look at why the other options are incorrect:
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Unless: Means "except if." "Unless he worked so hard, he couldn't pass" doesn't make logical sense in this context.
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Until: Means "up to the time that." "Until he worked so hard, he couldn't pass" implies that working hard was a condition for not passing, which is illogical.
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Provided: Means "on the condition that." "Provided he worked so hard, he couldn't pass" suggests that working hard resulted in failure, which is contrary to the usual expectation.