IndianTechnoEra: Completing Sentences | Fill in the Missing Word

Completing Sentences

Sometimes a sentence is missing a word or words. We can complete the sentence by choosing a word that makes the meaning clear.

To complete a sentence correctly, read the whole sentence and think about what information is missing.

Learning Objectives

• Understand what a missing word is.
• Use context to complete a simple sentence.
• Choose a suitable word.
• Read the completed sentence to check its meaning.

Finding the Missing Word

Look at the words before and after the blank. They can give you clues about the word that is missing.

The sun is ______.

A suitable answer could be hot.

Using Meaning Clues

Think about what makes sense in the sentence.

I drink ______.

A suitable answer could be water because water is something we can drink.

The dog can ______.

A suitable answer could be run.

Choosing the Correct Word

Sometimes you may be given choices. Read the complete sentence with each choice and select the word that makes sense.

The bird can (fly / swim).
→ The bird can fly.

The word fly correctly completes the sentence in this example.

Read the Complete Sentence

After filling in the missing word, read the complete sentence again. Check that it makes sense and sounds correct.

The girl has a ______ dress.

Words such as red, blue or new may complete the sentence depending on the intended meaning.

Different Answers Can Sometimes Work

Some sentence-completion questions can have more than one sensible answer. The important thing is that the word should fit the meaning of the sentence.

I like ______.

Possible answers include mangoes, apples or another suitable food.

Common Mistakes

• Do not choose a word without reading the whole sentence.
• Make sure the word makes sense.
• Check the spelling of the word.
• Read the completed sentence again.

Practice

1. The sky is ______. (blue / run)

2. I drink ______. (water / book)

3. The dog can ______. (run / red)

4. I have a ______. (pencil / swim)

5. The flower is ______. (pretty / jump)

Try It Yourself

Write five sentences with one missing word. Give them to someone at home and ask them to complete the sentences.

Quick Revision

• Read the sentence carefully.
• Look for clues around the blank.
• Choose a word that makes sense.
• Read the complete sentence again.

Next Step

Now that you can complete simple sentences, the next lesson will teach you how to write sentences about a picture.