United India Insurance AO Exam 2013 Question Paper

In the following passage there are blanks, each of which has been numbered. These numbers are printed below the passage and against each five words are suggested, one of which fits the blank appropriately. Find out the appropriate word in each case.

Without doubt there is one thing (1) to all of us we have all played a game at some time in our lives. Most of us play to relax or have fun, but for many, playing a game or a sport is a way to (2) poverty behind. In fact, in many African countries, playing a sport professionally can (3) the lives of a person’s entire family.

For example, in the small town of Bekoji, in Ethiopia (4) than a hundred boys and girls can be seen running at dawn everyday. Each of these youth is (5) and serious and their coach is (6) that one of them will be a world champion. This seems like an idle (7) but it is virtually a guarantee in this small community (8) mainly farmers. Many of the fastest male and female distance runners in the world hail from this small town. A small hand painted sign which greets visitors outside Bekoji (9) “Welcome to the Village of Athletes”. Children here start running at an early age, (10) great distances to fetch water and firewood or to reach school. At the Olympics, runners from this small town are likely to win more medals than those from developed countries. It will give their families a way out of poverty.

Which of the phrases a:, b:, c: and d: given below should replace the phrase given in bold in the following sentences to make the sentence grammatically correct? If the sentence is correct as it is and there is no correction required mark e: i.e. ‘No correction required’ as the answer.