Complete the cloze passage by filling in the blanks with the most appropriate words.
Horses ____A_____ companions of humans for thousands of years. They carried warriors into battles, pulled carts ____B____ villages, and became symbols of power and grace. Even today, they remain important in sports, farming, and therapy sessions. Have you ever wondered why horses are often described as noble animals? Their strength, loyalty, and ability to understand human emotions make them unique. A horse does not simply run; it runs with a spirit that seems ____C____ (untamed) and free. Take care of your horse well, for it ____D_____ on you for food, shelter, and affection. Groom it regularly and ensure it is treated with kindness. When horses are cared for, they respond with trust and gentleness, creating a bond that lasts a lifetime. How ____E_____ (incredible) it is to watch a herd of horses galloping across an open field! Their hooves thunder against the ground, their manes fly in the wind, and their eyes shine with energy. Truly, horses are living poetry in motion! As the saying goes, 'The wind of heaven is that which blows between a horse's ears.' Horses remind us that freedom, loyalty, and beauty can exist together in one magnificent creature. They are not just animals of burden but teachers of patience, courage, and respect.
Choose the correct form of verb to fill in blank (D).
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Explanation
Correct Answer
depends
Explanation
The question asks for the correct form of the verb to fill in blank (D). The sentence uses the singular pronoun 'it' as its subject to refer back to 'your horse'. According to the rules of subject-verb agreement in the simple present tense, a singular subject requires a singular verb ending in '-s' or '-es'. Therefore, the verb 'depends' is grammatically correct. Additionally, the simple present tense is required here because the statement describes a general fact or ongoing reality.
The other options are incorrect because they fail to meet tense or subject-verb agreement requirements. Option 1 (depend) is a plural verb form and would create a subject-verb agreement error with the singular pronoun 'it'. Option 2 (depended) uses the simple past tense, which breaks the consistency of the paragraph's present tense framework. Option 4 (depending) is a present participle and cannot function as the main verb of the clause without an accompanying auxiliary verb (like 'is').
Key Points
Subject-verb agreement questions on your exam paper often hinge on identifying the exact number of the pronoun subject. When you see a third-person singular pronoun like 'it', 'he', or 'she' in a present-tense passage, look for the verb form ending in '-s' to ensure a perfect grammatical match.