Complete the cloze passage by filling in the blanks with the most appropriate words.
Last winter, Ananya traveled alone to Shimla for a school competition. The town, covered in snow, looked like a painting that had come alive. She checked into the guesthouse ___A___, eager to rehearse her debate speech. But just as she reached for her notes, she realized something alarming, her suitcase ____B_____, and the key was missing.
Had she dropped it at the railway station? Or had she left it in the train itself? The more she thought, the more restless she became. 'Stay calm, Ananya,' she whispered to ____C____, 'panic will solve nothing.'
Determined to find a way, she asked the receptionist for help. He suggested calling a locksmith. While waiting, she kept _____D_____ (pacing) the hall, her mind filled with worry. How embarrassing it would be if she could not present her speech tomorrow!
When the locksmith finally arrived, he ____E_____ (examined) the lock and said confidently, 'Do not worry, miss, this will open soon.' Within minutes, the suitcase clicked open. What a moment of relief it was! Ananya almost cried with gratitude.
That night, while reviewing her speech, she reflected: 'Life often tests us with unexpected problems. If we stay calm, solutions eventually appear.' She promised herself she would remember this lesson in every challenge ahead.
What is the meaning of the word in (D): (pacing)?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
Correct Answer
Walking back and forth repeatedly
Explanation
The word 'pacing' refers to the action of walking back and forth at a steady, repetitive gait, usually across a room or a designated hall space. People naturally engage in pacing when they are anxious, worried, deep in thought, or waiting impatiently for an event to happen. In this context, Ananya is highly stressed about her missing key and is waiting for a locksmith, so she is moving back and forth across the hall out of nervous anticipation.
The other choices are incorrect because they fail to capture the standard definition of the word. Pacing is completely different from running quickly in fear. It also directly contradicts standing still with patience. Moving luggage around has absolutely no semantic connection to the verb 'pacing'.
Key Points
When vocabulary questions ask for the meaning of a word in a specific passage context, check the character's internal emotions. The text notes her mind was 'filled with worry' and she was 'restless.' Pacing back and forth is a universally recognized physical manifestation of psychological stress or worry.