SSC ● English 2nd Paper ● Topic wise practice sheet (With Answer Sheet)

Topic: Gap Filling Activities Without Clues

1. Fill in the gaps with suitable prepositions, articles & zero articles.
Modern civilization is (a) ---- gift of science. Science has worked (b) ---- a magician in the
world. We can't do even (c) ---- single day (d) ---- the help of science. Many quick means
(e) ---- communication like telephone, telex, fax, telegram, satellite etc. are the greatest
wonders of science. Nowadays a message can be sent (f) ---- one corner of the world (g) ---
- another in the twinkle of (h) ---- eye. Science has brought a revolutionary (i) ---- change
in all fields. In the field of medical science blind has got eyes, lame has got legs, deaf has
got hearing power. The diseases which were incurable(j) ---- the past is now easily cured.
Answer: (a) the: (b) like; (c) a; (d) without; (e) of; (f) from: (g) to; (h) an: (i) x; (j) in
2. Fill in the gaps with suitable prepositions, articles & zero articles.
Nowadays (a) ---- good number of farmers are getting benefits (b) ---- the organic
cultivation of vegetables. Vermicompost. (c) ---- organic fertilizer made mainly from
cowdung and earthworm is used (d) ---- the farmers. As the farmers did not use the
chemical fertilizer or pesticides (e) ---- their vegetable beds, the production cost has come
down. It takes about fifty thousand taka to prepare (f) ---- acre of land and the harvest starts
(g) ---- forty-five days of planting. Due (h) ---- good yield of the crop. some (i) ----
temporary warehouses have been made (j) ---- farm area. So proper use of organic fertilizer
can change the scenario of our agricultural sector.
Answer: (a) a; (b) from; (c) an; (d) by; (e) on; (f) an; (g) within: (h) to; (i) x; (j) in.
3. Fill in the gaps with suitable prepositions, articles & zero articles.
Diligence means (a) ---- effort to perform (b) ---- work successfully. (c) ---- God has given
us two hands to work. (d) ---- the beginning (e) ---- the world, human beings have been
struggling (f) ---- nature to keep hold (g) ---- their existence. If they did not struggle, they
might have lost long ago. Thus, we see that (h) ---- diligence is necessary (i) ---- our
personal, social and national life. The student who is always diligent, makes a better result
than those who are not. So, to be successful everybody should be (j) ---- diligent.
Answer: (a) an; (b) a; (c) x; (d) From; (e) of; (f) with; (g) of; (h) x; (i) in; (j) x.
4. Fill in the gaps with suitable prepositions, articles & zero articles.
December 16, our Victory Day, is (a) ---- memorable event in our national history. (b) ----
day is a perpetual source of our inspiration and energy. The day reminds us (c) ---- the
supreme sacrifices (d) ---- our sons and the noble cause and also inspires us to sacrifice
ourselves (e) ---- our beloved country. The day is (f) ---- clear warning (g) the oppressors
that people's right can never be suppressed (h) ---- long and that the oppressors will always
be defeated because there is nothing more powerful than people's will for (i) ---- freedom.
It gives us (j) ---- message that "Man can be destroyed but can never be defeated."
Answer: (a) a; (b) the; (c) of; (d) of; (e) for; (f) a; (g) for; (h) for; (i) x; (j) the.
5. Fill in the gaps with suitable prepositions, articles & zero articles.
People are fond (a) ---- travelling. So, travelling has been popular with man from (b) ----
time immemorial. It is the romance (c) ---- seeing the unseen, knowing the unknown and
unveiling (d) ---- shrouds of mystery. A man hardly knows his mother land completely
until he has gone out (e) ---- it to visit other countries. Only (f) ---- rational comparison of
our country (g) ---- other countries can vividly specify (h) ---- true nature of merits and
 demerits of our own motherland. (i) ---- awareness of our defects inspires us to work hard
and improve (j) ---- unhappy condition of our dear birth place.
Answer: (a) of; (b) the; (c) of; (d) the; (e) of; (f) a; (g) with; (h) the; (i) An; (j) the.
6. Fill in the gaps with suitable prepositions, articles & zero articles.
(a) ---- effort there can be no success (b) ---- life. Life loses its (c) ---- interest if there is no
struggle. Games become dull, if there is no competition (d) ---- them and if (e) ---- result
can be easily foreseen. No matter whether we win the game or lose it. (f) ---- keener the
contest, the greater (g) ---- interest. A victory is not (h) ---- real triumph unless both (i) ----
sides are equally strong. Whether we like it or not, life is (j) ---- continuous competitive
examination.
Answer: (a) Without; (b) in; (c) x; (d) in; (e) the; (f) the; (g) the; (h) a; (i) the; (j) a.
7. Fill in the gaps with suitable prepositions, articles & zero articles.
Patriotism is (a) ---- inherent quality of human being. It creates in a man (b) ---- feeling of
love (c) ---- his motherland. It is older than civilization. (d) ---- man, who loves his own
country, does his first and foremost duties and works for the welfare and betterment of his
country, is (e) ---- patriot. Even (f) ---- ancient tribes had a great love for the land where
they were born and sacrificed their lives to defend it. If he does it and performs his duties
honestly and sincerely in his own fields, he can be a patriot. If he does not do so, he will be
(g) ---- traitor. We must not have bitterness (h) ---- anyone. But narrow (i) ---- patriotism is
very bad. All should stay (j) ---- it from their hearts.
Answer: (a) an; (b) a; (c) for; (d) The; (e) a; (f) the; (g) a; (h) towards; (i) x; (j) off.
8. Fill in the gaps with suitable prepositions, articles & zero articles.
Adopting unfair means in the examination is (a) ---- offence. It degrades the standard (b) --
-- education. If the students of (c) ---- country do not acquire education, there will be no
development of the country. (d) ---- examinee should study seriously so that he can cut (e)
---- good figure in the examination. To acquire true education should be (f) ---- only aim
(g) ---- (h) ---- lives of all students, an educated man cannot support adopting (i) ---- unfair
means in the examination (j) ---- all.
Answer: (a) an; (b) of; (c) a; (d) an; (e) a; (f) the; (g) in; (h) the: (i) x; (j) at.
9. Fill in the gaps with suitable prepositions, articles & zero articles.
Terrorism is (a) ---- great threat and major concern (b) ---- almost all the countries.
Terrorists cause damage (c) ---- human lives and (d) ---- properties creating panic and
terror. (e) ---- cause of (f) ---- terrorism is mainly due to the deprivation (g) ---- genuine
rights and also greed and exploitation (h) ---- different groups and nations. To get rid (i) ---
- terrorism is very difficult but not impossible if (j) ---- intellectuals and peace-loving
nations work together.
Answer: (a) a; (b) for; (c) to; (d) x; (e) The; (f) x; (g) from; (h) of; (i) of; (j) the.
10. Fill in the gaps with suitable prepositions, articles & zero articles.
Once a farmer had a great desire (a) ---- land. One day going (b) ---- the landlord, he
wanted some land so that he might live (c) ---- comfort. (d) ---- landlord was very wise. So,
he told him to have as much land as he could cover by running till (e) ---- sunset. The
farmer became very pleased (f) ---- that. Next morning, he started running as fast as he
could to cover more area. He ran till evening and (g) ---- sun was about to set. He ran (h) --
-- his last (i) ---- strength but became very tired and fell down dead. He was buried there.
Then the wise man remarked a man needs just as much land as will be enough (j) ---- his
grave.
 Answer: (a) for; (b) to; (c) in; (d) The; (e) x; (f) with; (g) the; (h) with; (i) x; (j) for.
11. Fill in the gaps with suitable prepositions, articles & zero articles.
Housing is one of (a) ---- greatest problems in our country. Thousands of people in (b) ----
big cities like Dhaka and Chattogram dwell (c) ---- the footpaths. (d) ---- rural areas there is
also (e) ---- acute shortage of housing. (f) ---- cost of construction is rising day (g) ---- day.
(h) ---- present it is very tough (i) ---- the poor people to meet the cost(j) ---- construction.
So, this problem needs to be solved soon.
Answer: (a) the; (b) x; (c) in; (d) In; (e) an; (f) The; (g) by; (h) At; (i) for; (j) of.
12. Fill in the gaps with suitable prepositions, articles & zero articles.
Scientists have recently reported that (a) ---- surface ice caps are melting. This is due to (b)
---- rise (c) ---- atmospheric (d) ---- temperature known (e) ---- the greenhouse effect.
According to the scientists, carbon dioxide is primarily responsible (f) ---- temperature rise
in atmosphere. The carbon dioxide is high when coal and oil are burnt. (g) ---- CO₂ is
accumulating in atmosphere and causing temperature to rise. As a result. (h) ---- polar ice
in the North and South poles is melting. We should maintain (j) ---- ecological balance (j) -
--- the environment.
Answer: (a) the; (b) a; (c) in; (d) x; (e) as; (f) for; (g) The; (h) the: (i) the; (j) of.
13. Fill in the gaps with suitable prepositions, articles & zero articles.
Language plays (a) ---- very important role in the life of human beings. We use language
(b) ---- the moment we wake up (c) ---- the morning till we go to bed (d) ---- night. We use
language (e) ---- different purposes. We use language to express our ideas, thoughts and
feelings, to receive our message or to pass (f) ---- necessary Information (g) ---- others. In
short, (h) ---- language is ever present in our activities. It is (i) ---- inseparable part (j) ----
what we are, what we do and believe.
Answer: (a) a; (b) from; (c) in; (d) at; (e) for; (f) x; (g) to; (h) x; (i) an; (j) of.
14. Fill in the gaps with suitable prepositions, articles & zero articles.
Reading textbook is essential for all (a) ---- students. A student cannot expect to make (b) -
--- good result until he or she reads textbooks. In the textbooks all the topics are designed
as (c) ---- students' grade that ensures (d) ---- complete sense. In case of not reading those
texts a student will miss knowledge needed (e) ---- him or her. Moreover, textbooks are
written and edited by highly (f) ---- experienced educationists. Some students ignore to
read textbook rather they prefer guidebooks. But merely reading guidebooks keeps the
students ignoble (g) ---- the subject-matter as they are written focusing (h) ---- exam. result
but (i) ---- textbook covers all the details (j) ---- holistic flourish of a student.
Answer: (a) the; (b) a; (c) per; (d) a; (e) for; (f) x; (g) of; (h) on; (i) a; (j) for.
15. Fill in the gaps with suitable prepositions, articles & zero articles.
Road accident is a regular phenomenon (a) ---- Bangladesh. Many people die in (b) ----
road accidents every year. So, it is considered (c) ---- curse. Road accidents occur(d) ----
various reasons. Many factors are responsible for road accidents. (e) ---- most common
cause is reckless driving. Sometimes they drive night coach even (f) ---- the same day. The
drives do not check (g) ---- engines properly before they start driving. The roads are two-
lane roads (h) ---- any dividers. These are some (i) ---- the main reasons of road accidents
(j) ---- Bangladesh.
Answer: a) in; (b) x; (c) a; (d) for; (e) The; (f) on; (g) the; (h) without; (i) of; (j) in.
16. Fill in the gaps with suitable prepositions, articles & zero articles.
 A true friend is (a) ---- asset. He stands (b) ---- his friends (c) ---- time of danger. He is not
(d) ---- greedy person. He always wishes (e) ---- the welfare of his friend. But it is (f) ----
matter of regret that a true friend is very (g) ---- rare today. (h) ---- selfish man cannot be
(i) ---- true friend. He always thinks (j) ---- his own interest.
Answer: (a) an; (b) by; (c) in; (d) a; (e) for; (f) a; (g) x; (h) A; (i) a; (j) of.
17. Fill in the gaps with suitable prepositions, articles & zero articles.
Nowadays, (a) ---- young farmers of our country are showing (b) ---- interest to cultivate
foreign vegetables. They (c) ---- their innovative power, have added new dimensions (d) ---
- the country's agricultural sector. Karim Ullah is such a farmer. Five years ago, he started
his farm (e) ---- a vision and challenge. Now he owns (f) ---- big vegetable farm where he
cultivates curry leaves, lemon grass, broccoli and other foreign vegetables. The cultivation
(g) ---- foreign crops in our country is very inspiring (h) ---- both the farmers and the
customers as it brings diversity (i) ---- our regular diet and nutrition. It is also possible to
export vegetables (j) ---- ensuring quality production and packaging.
Answer: (a) the; (b) x; (c) with; (d) to; (e) with; (f) a; (g) of; (h) for; (i) in; (j) by.
18. Fill in the gaps with suitable prepositions, articles & zero articles.
Truthfulness refers (a) ---- the habit of speaking (b) ---- truth. It is the greatest of all virtues
(c) ---- a man's life. (d) ---- true peace and prosperity of man entirely depends (e) ---- it. It
ennobles one's character and gives one high position in (f) ---- society. It may not make
one rich but brings (g) ---- peace of mind. (h) ---- truthful person is loved and respected by
all. A truthful person care nothing. All religions teach us to be truthful. By dint (i) ----
truthfulness all can shine in life. Truthfulness can lead the whole world (j) ---- peace and
prosperity.
Answer: (a) to; (b) the; (c) in; (d) The; (e) on; (f) x; (g) x; (h) A; (i) of; (j) to.
19. Fill in the gaps with suitable prepositions, articles & zero articles.
The beach of Cox's Bazar is (a) ---- beautiful gift of nature. The blue water (b) ---- the sea
and its rising waves are always (c) ---- pleasant sight which cools our mind (d) ---- a
moment. It is the longest beach (e) ---- the world. (f) ---- Saint Martin's Island in the Bay of
Bengal is also (g) ---- gift of nature. The beauty of the island is simply (h) ---- bewitching.
The Sundarbans, the largest mangrove forest of the world, is another beautiful gift (i) ----
nature. Its wildlife and (j) ---- mysterious setting makes it more charming.
Answer: (a) a; (b) of; (c) a; (d) within; (e) in/of; (f) the; (g) a; (h) x; (i) of; (j) x.
20. Fill in the gaps with suitable prepositions, articles & zero articles.
Student politics hampers the normal progress of (a) ---- student. It brings prosperity (b) ----
a few but causes harm (c) ---- many. Because of student politics normal administration of
(d) ---- college or university is hampered. As (e) ---- result, there arises session jam. For
this problem of the campus, student politics is mainly (f) ---- responsible. So, we should
rethink (g) ---- the necessity of student politics. Either we should avoid (h) ---- student
politics or we should bring (i) ---- a positive change (j) ---- this sector.
Answer: (a) a; (b) to; (c) to; (d) a; (e) a; (f) x; (g) about; (h) x; (i) about; (j) in.