Choose the correct option from the ones given below to fill in the blank:
We had to ______ people all over the town, asking if they would be interested in participating in a recycling programme.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → canvass
Canvass (with double s) is a verb meaning to go round asking people for their opinions, votes or support. The volunteers went all over the town asking people whether they would join the recycling programme, which is canvassing.
Example: Party workers canvassed every house before the election.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: canvas — Incorrect. Canvas (one s) is a noun: a strong, heavy cloth used for tents, sails and oil paintings. It sounds like canvass, but canvas is the cloth and canvass is the verb of asking for support.
Example: The artist painted on canvas.
Option 3: canyon — Incorrect. A canyon is a deep valley with steep rocky sides, usually with a river at the bottom.
Example: The river has cut a deep canyon through the rock.
Option 4: cannon — Incorrect. A cannon is a large, heavy gun of the old kind that fired iron balls.
Example: The old fort still has a bronze cannon.