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Para-Completion Questions
Q.19 There is a sentence that is missing in the paragraph below. Look at the paragraph and decide where (option 1, 2, 3, or 4) the following sentence would best fit.
Sentence: Taken outside the village of Trang Bang on June 8, 1972, the picture captured the trauma and indiscriminate violence of a conflict that claimed, by some estimates, a million or more civilian lives.
Paragraph:
The horrifying photograph of children fleeing a deadly napalm attack has become a defining image not only of the Vietnam War but the 20th century. ___(1)___. Dark smoke billowing behind them, the young subjectsâ faces are painted with a mixture of terror, pain and confusion. ___(2)___. Soldiers from the South Vietnamese armyâs 25th Division follow helplessly behind. ___(3)___. The picture was officially titled âThe Terror of War,â but the photo is better known by the nickname given to naked 9-year-old at its centre âNapalm Girlâ. ___(4)___
A. Option 4
B. Option 1
C. Option 3
D. Option 2
Solution with Explanation
Correct Answer: C
Detailed explanation by Wordpandit: The paragraph describes a famous Vietnam War photograph and builds its narrative through visual details, emotional impact, and finally, contextual significance. The missing sentence offers critical historical contextâit identifies the location, date, and broader symbolic importance of the image, linking it to the widespread civilian suffering during the war.This kind of background information should appear after the image is introduced and described, but before the paragraph transitions into specific titles and labels for the photo. Placing the sentence at this point enriches the readerâs understanding of why the image is so powerful and historically important.
Option-wise Analysis:
- Option 1: Incorrect. Introducing the context too early would interrupt the visual and emotional description that follows. The paragraph begins by highlighting the photoâs iconic status, and jumping into detailed context at this stage would disrupt the flow.
- Option 2: Incorrect. This would place the historical context between two vivid descriptions of the fleeing children and the following soldiers, breaking the continuity of the visual imagery.
- Option 3: Correct. This is the most appropriate placement. After describing the helplessness of the soldiers, the sentence about the trauma and widespread violence gives a broader, historical lens through which to view the imageâsetting the stage for the next sentence, which names the photograph and its central figure.
- Option 4: Incorrect. The paragraph concludes with the emotional and cultural impact of the photo's nickname. Placing the historical context here would weaken the conclusion and feel out of place.
Word 1: Defining
Context:
"The horrifying photograph of children fleeing a deadly napalm attack has become a defining image not only of the Vietnam War but the 20th century." - Source Unknown
Explanatory Paragraph:
"Defining" refers to something that clearly expresses the essential nature or meaning of a person, event, or era. A defining moment, image, or feature is one that shapes how something is remembered or understood. In the context provided, the word emphasizes the power of a single photograph to encapsulate the emotional and historical weight of the Vietnam War and beyond. It shaped public perception, influenced politics, and remains a symbol of warâs human costâmaking it a moment or image that defines an entire historical narrative.
Meaning: Clearly expressing or shaping the essential characteristics of something (Adjective/Verb - present participle)
Pronunciation: dih-FINE-ing
Difficulty Level: ââ Easy
Etymology: From Latin *definire*, meaning "to set bounds" or "to determine."
Prashant Sir's Notes:
âDefiningâ is often used with âmoment,â âimage,â or âfeature.â It's about what stands out and shapes identity or memory. Ask yourself: What are the defining events in your own life?
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: shaping, pivotal, crucial, emblematic, representative
Antonyms: insignificant, forgettable, minor, unclear
Usage Examples:
- The fall of the Berlin Wall was a defining moment in world history.
- Her speech became a defining statement in the movement for equality.
- The actorâs defining role came early in his career and set the tone for future success.
- That win was the teamâs defining performance of the season.
Cultural Reference:
Nick Utâs Pulitzer Prize-winning photo of Kim Phuc, the âNapalm Girl,â is often cited as one of the defining images of war photography, changing public opinion about U.S. involvement in Vietnam.
Think About It:
What images, words, or actions define your values? How do defining moments shape your identity?
Quick Activity:
Write down one defining moment in your life and explain briefly how it changed your perspective or path.
Memory Tip:
Think of âdefiningâ as drawing a bold outline around somethingâit becomes the feature everyone notices and remembers.
Real-World Application:
"Defining" is used across journalism, politics, branding, and personal development. Whether itâs a defining crisis, a defining characteristic, or a defining decision, the word signals long-lasting impact and importance.
Word 2: Indiscriminate
Context:
"Taken outside the village of Trang Bang on June 8, 1972, the picture captured the trauma and indiscriminate violence of a conflict that claimed, by some estimates, a million or more civilian lives." - Source Unknown
Explanatory Paragraph:
"Indiscriminate" refers to actions or behavior that are done without careful judgment, targeting, or distinction. It often carries a negative connotation, especially when used to describe violence, punishment, or destruction that affects both the guilty and the innocent alike. In the context of war, âindiscriminate violenceâ suggests brutal acts carried out without concern for who is harmedâcombatant or civilianâhighlighting the chaotic and morally troubling nature of the Vietnam War as captured in the iconic photograph.
Meaning: Done without careful judgment or distinction; affecting people or things in an unselective way (Adjective)
Pronunciation: in-dih-SKRIM-uh-nut
Difficulty Level: âââ Intermediate
Etymology: From Latin *in-* (not) + *discriminare* (to separate or distinguish).
Prashant Sir's Notes:
Think of âindiscriminateâ as the opposite of âselective.â Itâs a word often used in news or humanitarian contexts to criticize actions that ignore human value or ethics, such as bombing civilian areas or spreading misinformation blindly.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: random, haphazard, unselective, aimless, chaotic
Antonyms: selective, targeted, deliberate, calculated, precise
Usage Examples:
- The bombing was condemned as an act of indiscriminate violence against civilians.
- Indiscriminate use of antibiotics can lead to resistant bacteria.
- He fired indiscriminately into the crowd, without regard for who might be harmed.
- Indiscriminate hiring practices can lead to poor team performance and ethical concerns.
Cultural Reference:
The Geneva Conventions were established to protect civilians from indiscriminate violence in war, emphasizing the need for distinction between combatants and non-combatants.
Think About It:
Why is indiscriminate action often more dangerous than targeted intent? Can lack of intention still cause deep harm?
Quick Activity:
Write two sentences: one using âindiscriminateâ to describe a violent act, and another where it describes a neutral or mildly negative behavior (e.g., spending, sharing, or commenting).
Memory Tip:
âIndiscriminateâ = âinâ (not) + âdiscriminateâ (to distinguish) â So it means ânot distinguishingââtreating everything and everyone the same, usually in a harmful way.
Real-World Application:
"Indiscriminate" is used in law, warfare, ethics, public policy, and even consumer behavior. It's a warning termâoften signaling carelessness, injustice, or dangerous generalization.
Word 3: Trauma
Context:
"Taken outside the village of Trang Bang on June 8, 1972, the picture captured the trauma and indiscriminate violence of a conflict that claimed, by some estimates, a million or more civilian lives." - Source Unknown
Explanatory Paragraph:
"Trauma" refers to a deeply distressing or disturbing experience that can cause long-lasting emotional, psychological, or physical harm. It can result from personal loss, violence, natural disasters, or war. In the context of the Vietnam War, "trauma" captures both the immediate suffering of those affected and the enduring scars left on individuals, communities, and even entire nations. The term helps explain why the iconic photo carries such emotional weightâit immortalizes not just a moment, but the pain and horror of war.
Meaning: A deeply distressing or disturbing experience; also refers to physical injury (Noun)
Pronunciation: TRAU-muh
Difficulty Level: ââ Easy
Etymology: From Greek *trauma*, meaning âwoundâ (both physical and metaphorical).
Prashant Sir's Notes:
Trauma is more than painâit's pain that lingers. Whether from war, loss, or abuse, trauma changes the way people see the world. The word is essential when discussing human experiences with empathy and depth.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: shock, distress, agony, suffering, ordeal
Antonyms: healing, comfort, peace, security, relief
Usage Examples:
- The survivors of the bombing carried their trauma for decades.
- Therapy helped him begin to process the trauma of his childhood.
- War zones are breeding grounds for psychological trauma in civilians and soldiers alike.
- The image of the injured child became a symbol of national trauma.
Cultural Reference:
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) became widely recognized after the Vietnam War, as returning soldiers struggled with the emotional trauma of combatâforever changing how societies understand mental health and healing.
Think About It:
Is trauma only caused by extreme events, or can everyday experiences leave lasting emotional wounds too?
Quick Activity:
List three possible causes of traumaâone personal, one societal, and one environmental. Briefly note how each might affect people differently.
Memory Tip:
âTraumaâ sounds like âdramaââbut with deeper consequences. Trauma is drama that wounds and stays with you.
Real-World Application:
"Trauma" is a key concept in psychology, medicine, social work, and even literature. Understanding trauma is crucial in areas like therapy, education, war recovery, and crisis responseâwhere healing starts with acknowledging what has been endured.
Word 4: Symbolic
Context:
"The missing sentence offers critical historical contextâit identifies the location, date, and broader symbolic importance of the image, linking it to the widespread civilian suffering during the war." - Source Unknown
Explanatory Paragraph:
"Symbolic" refers to something that represents or stands for a larger idea, value, or theme beyond its literal meaning. A symbolic object, image, or action holds deeper significance, often conveying powerful emotional or cultural messages. In the provided context, the image from the Vietnam War isnât just a photographâit is symbolic of the entire tragedy of civilian suffering, making it resonate across time and geography. It becomes a stand-in for countless unseen stories of pain, loss, and injustice.
Meaning: Serving as a representation or symbol of something deeper or broader (Adjective)
Pronunciation: sim-BAH-lik
Difficulty Level: ââ Easy
Etymology: From Greek *symbolikos*, meaning âtokenâ or âsign,â derived from *symbolon* (symbol).
Prashant Sir's Notes:
âSymbolicâ is a must-know word in literature, politics, history, and art. Look beyond the surfaceâwhen something is symbolic, it's saying more than it shows. Itâs a message wrapped in imagery.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: representative, metaphorical, emblematic, figurative, suggestive
Antonyms: literal, actual, direct, real
Usage Examples:
- The dove is symbolic of peace and purity in many cultures.
- Her resignation was a symbolic gesture of protest against corruption.
- The photo became symbolic of the cost of war on innocent civilians.
- The ceremony had deep symbolic meaning for the local community.
Cultural Reference:
In *The Lord of the Flies*, the conch shell is symbolic of order and civilizationâits destruction marks the collapse of societal norms among the boys.
Think About It:
Why do symbolsâwhether in photos, flags, or ritualsâhave such power to influence how we feel and remember events?
Quick Activity:
Identify a symbolic object in a film, book, or news event you recently saw. What does it stand for? How does it deepen your understanding of the story?
Memory Tip:
Think of âsymbolicâ as the âicebergâ of meaningâwhatâs visible is small, but what it represents is massive beneath the surface.
Real-World Application:
"Symbolic" language is used in speeches, advertising, literature, and activism to stir emotions and communicate powerful messages in subtle ways. It helps transform simple objects or actions into vessels of deeper meaning.
Word 5: Contextual
Context:
"The paragraph describes a famous Vietnam War photograph and builds its narrative through visual details, emotional impact, and finally, contextual significance." - Source Unknown
Explanatory Paragraph:
"Contextual" refers to something that gains meaning or relevance when considered within its surrounding circumstances or backgroundâknown as the "context." A contextual understanding helps explain why something matters by connecting it to broader events, cultural forces, or historical settings. In the case of the Vietnam War photograph, the image becomes more than just a picture when we consider its time, location, and the societal impact it hadâits contextual significance reveals its emotional and political power.
Meaning: Related to or dependent on the surrounding context or situation (Adjective)
Pronunciation: kuhn-TEKS-choo-uhl
Difficulty Level: âââ Intermediate
Etymology: From Latin *contextus*, meaning "a joining together" (from *con-* = together + *texere* = to weave).
Prashant Sir's Notes:
âContextualâ reminds us that meaning isnât isolated. A word, photo, or action may seem neutralâbut in context, it can be powerful or controversial. Always ask: Whatâs the bigger picture?
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: situational, background-based, interpretive, relative
Antonyms: absolute, isolated, decontextualized, standalone
Usage Examples:
- To understand the quote properly, you need to consider its contextual meaning.
- Her analysis provided a rich, contextual understanding of the paintingâs symbolism.
- Without contextual clues, the sentenceâs meaning was hard to interpret.
- The image holds deep contextual power when placed within the timeline of the war.
Cultural Reference:
In literary studies, scholars often stress âcontextual reading,â urging students to understand texts in relation to the time, politics, and culture in which they were createdâespecially in works like George Orwellâs *1984* or Toni Morrisonâs *Beloved*.
Think About It:
Can something be misunderstoodâor even misusedâwhen itâs taken out of context? How does context shape truth?
Quick Activity:
Pick a famous quote or image. Write down what it might mean on its own, and then what it means when given proper historical or social context. What changes?
Memory Tip:
âContextualâ comes from âcontextââso imagine weaving together background threads to see the full picture.
Real-World Application:
"Contextual" thinking is vital in journalism, education, art, history, and law. Whether analyzing a text or making a judgment, understanding the context helps prevent oversimplification or misinterpretation.
