In the following passage some words have been deleted. Fill in the blanks with the help of the alternatives given. Select the most appropriate option for each number.

Comprehension:
Through the (1) _______ , lonely years of my childhood, when my father’s palace (2) ______ to tighten its grip (3) _______ me until I couldn’t (4) _______, I would go to my nurse and ask for a story. And though she knew many wondrous and edifying tales, the one I made her tell me over and over was the (5) _______ of my birth.