Fillers for LIC AAO

A filler gives you one sentence and one or two blanks. It is the shortest question type in the English section, and it should also be the quickest: 20 to 30 seconds each once the method is automatic. Candidates lose time here in one way only. They read the options first and try each one in the blank by ear, when the sentence has already told them what kind of word it needs.

Four checks, in this order

1. Grammar. What part of speech fits? Does the verb agree with its subject? Does the tense match the time words?
2. Fixed pairs. Some words take a set preposition or partner: depend on, insist on, comply with, prefer X to Y.
3. Logic. Clue words tell you whether the blank continues, contrasts with or explains the rest of the sentence.
4. Tone. If two options survive, pick the one that suits the formality and attitude of the sentence.

Most single fillers are decided by check 1 or 2. Checks 3 and 4 settle the rest.

Clue words

Six worked examples

1. The policy ___ last month after the arrears were paid. (a) revives (b) has revived (c) will revive (d) was revived

"Last month" fixes the simple past, which removes (a) and (c). "Has revived" is present perfect, which does not sit with a finished past time. The policy does not revive itself; someone revives it, so the passive fits. Answer (d).

2. Although the claim was complicated, it was settled ___. (a) slowly (b) late (c) quickly (d) reluctantly

"Although" promises a contrast with "complicated". "Slowly" and "late" are what you would expect from a complicated claim, so they give no contrast. "Reluctantly" describes attitude, which has nothing to do with complexity. Answer (c).

3. The insurer ___ its online services so that customers could ___ premiums without visiting a branch. (a) expanded, pay (b) reduced, pay (c) expanded, avoid (d) suspended, renew

Start with the easier blank. "So that customers could… without visiting a branch" describes a benefit, so the first word must be positive: that removes (b) and (d). Between (a) and (c), "avoid premiums" makes no sense. Answer (a).

4. The success of the camp depends ___ local support. (a) of (b) in (c) at (d) on

This is a fixed pair: depend on. No logic is needed. Answer (d).

5. The auditor was ___ of the branch's figures and asked for every receipt to be checked. (a) sceptical (b) proud (c) fond (d) certain

The second half, checking every receipt, shows doubt. "Proud", "fond" and "certain" would give no reason for such a check. Answer (a).

6. Hardly had the meeting begun ___ the power failed. (a) than (b) then (c) when (d) that

"Hardly" pairs with "when". "Than" belongs with "no sooner". Answer (c).

Double fillers: the elimination method

With two blanks, you do not need to test four full sentences.

1. Pick the blank with the stronger clue, often a preposition, a time word or a fixed pair.
2. Remove every option whose word for that blank fails.
3. Test only the survivors in the other blank.

In example 3, the first blank removed two options in one step, and the second blank settled the rest. That took two decisions, not four full readings.

Fixed pairs worth knowing

Practice set

1. The agent has worked here ___ ten years. (a) since (b) for (c) from (d) by
2. The premium was due, ___ a reminder was sent to the policyholder. (a) so (b) but (c) although (d) unless
3. The nominee's name must be ___ correctly in the policy records. (a) record (b) records (c) recorded (d) recording
4. ___ the heavy rain, the awareness camp drew a large crowd. (a) Because of (b) Due to (c) Owing to (d) Despite
5. The officer ___ the complaint carefully and ___ a written reply within two days. (a) ignored, sent (b) examined, sent (c) examined, withheld (d) dismissed, delayed
6. The customer insisted ___ meeting the branch manager. (a) on (b) for (c) to (d) at
7. Neither the form nor the documents ___ been received yet. (a) has (b) have (c) is (d) was
8. The new process is ___ than the old one, so fewer customers complain. (a) simple (b) simpler (c) simplest (d) more simpler

Answers

1. (b) for. "For" takes a length of time; "since" takes a starting point ("since 2016").
2. (a) so. The reminder is the result of the premium being due.
3. (c) recorded. "Must be" + past participle forms the passive.
4. (d) Despite. A large crowd in spite of rain is a contrast. The other three all express cause, which would suggest the rain helped.
5. (b) examined, sent. "Carefully" rules out "ignored" and "dismissed"; "within two days" suggests a reply was sent, not withheld.
6. (a) on. Insist on + -ing.
7. (b) have. With "neither… nor", the verb agrees with the nearer subject, "documents".
8. (b) simpler. "Than" needs the comparative. "More simpler" is a double comparative.

What to do next

• Do 20 fillers a day for a week, timing yourself at 30 seconds each.
• Apply the same checks to linked blanks in the cloze test guide.
• Build the word knowledge behind check 4 with the vocabulary guide.
• If tense and agreement slip, revise the table in error spotting for LIC AAO.