Complete the passage by filling in the blanks with the most appropriate words.
The ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia, Egypt, and the Indus Valley were among the first to develop complex societies, relying on agriculture as the cornerstone of their economies. In Mesopotamia, the Sumerians created the first known form of writing, ____A____cuneiform, which was inscribed on clay tablets. This form of communication enabled the recording of important events, laws, and even trade transactions, ____B____ the foundation for future generations to understand their past.
In Ancient Egypt, the great pyramids stand as a testament to the engineering prowess of the civilization. The construction of these monumental structures required careful planning and ____C____ skilled workforce. However, much of the wealth generated through agriculture and conquest was concentrated in the hands of the elite, which led to the emergence of ____D____ between the ruling class and the common people.
Similarly, the Indus Valley Civilization, known for its advanced urban planning, fell into decline for reasons that remain ____E____. Some scholars argue that environmental factors, such as shifts in river patterns, may have played a significant role in the civilization's collapse. Nevertheless, the achievements of these early societies paved the way for future innovations in science, technology, and governance.
Choose the correct word to fill in blank (A) and complete the sentence.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
Correct Answer
called
Explanation
The blank requires a past participle acting as an adjective (a reduced relative clause) to modify the noun 'form of writing.' The phrase 'writing, called cuneiform,' is short for 'writing, which was called cuneiform.' The past participle 'called' correctly shows that the writing system was given this name by others.
The other options are grammatically incorrect for this context. Option 2 ('calling') is a present participle, which implies the writing itself was performing the action of calling something else. Option 3 ('call') is a base verb form that breaks the sentence structure. Option 4 ('have called') is a perfect tense verb that does not fit into a modifying phrase.
Key Points
When an object is named or labeled by people, always use the past participle form ('called') to modify it. Identifying that the writing system received the name allows you to eliminate active options like 'calling' or base verbs instantly.