In the following passage, some words have been deleted. Read the passage carefully and select the most appropriate option to fill in each blank.
I went on (1)___________ trying to 'find out how to'; but I wrote two or three novels without feeling that I had made (2)_______ progress. It was not until I wrote 'Ethan Frome' that I suddenly felt the artisan's full (3)________ of his implements. When 'Ethan Frome' first appeared, I was (4)_______ criticised by the reviewers for what was considered the clumsy structure of the tale. I had pondered long on this structure, had felt its peculiar difficulties, and possible awkwardness, but could think of no (5)________which would serve as well in the given case: and though I am far from thinking 'Ethan Frome' is my best novel, and am bored and even exasperated when I am told that it is, I am still sure that its structure is not its weak point.
Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank no. 2.