Question

The spice saffron is made from the stigma of the Crocus sativus plant; the (i) _____ number of blossoms required to produce saffron and the (ii) ______ of the flower makes the spice the most expensive in the world. $$\begin{array}{|l|l|}\hline A \text { vast } & D \text { color } \\\\\hline B \text { meager } & E \text {hardiness } \\\\\hline C \text { unique } & F \text { delicacy } \\\\\hline\end{array}$$

Short answer

'The vast number of blossoms required to produce saffron and the delicacy of the flower makes the spice the most expensive in the world.'

Step-by-step solution

- Understand the Context

The sentence explains why saffron is the most expensive spice in the world, emphasizing two main factors: the number of flowers needed and some characteristic of the flower.

- Evaluate the First Blank

The first blank refers to the number of blossoms required to produce saffron. The possible choices are: vast, meager, and unique. Since it takes many blossoms to produce a small amount of saffron, the word 'vast' fits the context best.

- Evaluate the Second Blank

The second blank refers to a characteristic of the flower. The choices are: color, hardiness, and delicacy. Given that saffron flowers are delicate and fragile, 'delicacy' is the most appropriate choice.

- Combine the Answers

Insert 'vast' into the first blank and 'delicacy' into the second blank. The sentence should read: 'The vast number of blossoms required to produce saffron and the delicacy of the flower makes the spice the most expensive in the world.'

Key concepts

Context Understanding

In word problems, understanding the context is crucial. Here, the context revolves around explaining why saffron is the most expensive spice in the world. The sentence gives us clues by mentioning two main aspects: the number of blossoms needed and a certain characteristic of the flower. By identifying these clues, we can infer the broader picture.

When approaching similar exercises, always pay close attention to the provided information. Ask yourself questions like:

• What is the main topic of the sentence?
• What details are given to explain or support this topic?
• How are these details connected?

This will help you better understand what the sentence is trying to convey and what type of words you need to find in order to fill in the blanks accurately.

Blank Evaluation

Evaluating the blanks is the next important step. Here, we have two blanks to fill. Each blank requires you to think about what type of word fits best given the context and the meaning of the sentence.

First Blank: The sentence mentions the number of blossoms required. The choices are 'vast', 'meager', and 'unique'. To produce saffron, you need many blossoms, so 'vast' is the most appropriate.

Second Blank: The sentence mentions a characteristic of the flower. The choices are 'color', 'hardiness', and 'delicacy'. Saffron flowers are known for being delicate, which makes 'delicacy' the best choice.

When working on blank evaluation, consider the following tips:

• Think about the logical relationship between the parts of the sentence.
• Eliminate choices that don't fit the context.
• Pay attention to clues that provide hints about the required word type (e.g., nouns, adjectives).

Appropriate Word Selection

Once you have evaluated the blanks, it's time to select the appropriate words. This involves more than just picking a word that fits; it requires choosing the word that fits best within the entire context of the sentence.

In our exercise, the words 'vast' and 'delicacy' were chosen. These words not only grammatically fit in the sentence but also enhance its overall meaning.

Consider these strategies for appropriate word selection:

• Ensure the selected word maintains the sentence's original meaning.
• Think about the nuances of each option and select the word that best captures the intended meaning.
• Read the sentence with your chosen words to see if it flows naturally and makes sense.

Combining the answers correctly, we get the sentence:
'The vast number of blossoms required to produce saffron and the delicacy of the flower makes the spice the most expensive in the world.'