Question

Choose the right word to complete the sentence.
After the accident, the nerves to her arm were damaged and so the muscles ___ through disuse.

A- Atrophied
B-Contracted
C- Elongated
D- Invigorated
E- Dwindled

Answer 1

Hint: In the given sentence, one blank has been left out. We have to understand the meaning of the sentence and then find the most suitable verb to fill in the blank out of the given options.

Complete answer:
The sentence here implies that the person referred to as “her” met with an accident due to which the nerves to her arm were damaged and so something (needs to be selected from the options) happened to her muscles through disuse. Now, let’s look at the meaning of all the words given one by one and find the most suitable word to fit in the sentence.

Option A) Atrophied –It is the correct answer. “Atrophied”, as a verb, is generally used to refer to a body tissue or organ having lost effectiveness due to underuse. As the sentence clearly mentions that something happened to the muscles due to “disuse”, it implies a suitable meaning to the sentence. Hence the sentence, “After the accident, the nerves to her arm were damaged and so the muscles atrophied through disuse” makes sense and therefore, it is the correct answer.

Option B) Contracted- It is an incorrect answer. “Contracted”, as a verb, is used to imply decrease in size, number etc. of the subject. Here as the subject is muscles, it implies that the muscles have decreased in size due to disuse, which does not provide a suitable meaning to the sentence.

Option C) Elongated- It is an incorrect answer. “Elongated” as a verb is used to imply an increase in length of the subject or to become long. Here as the subject is muscles, it implies that the muscles have increased in length due to disuse, which does not provide a suitable meaning to the sentence.

Option D) Invigorated- It is an incorrect answer. “Invigorated” means to strengthen or to provide new energy to someone or something. Here, as we are talking about the nerves getting damaged, to strengthen or give new energy do not provide any suitable meaning to the sentence.

Option E) Dwindled- It is an incorrect answer. ” Dwindled” as a verb is used to imply a gradual decrease in size or strength of the subject. Here, it would mean that the muscles have decreased in size or strength due to disuse. Although, it is not entirely incorrect but it does not provide any meaning to the reason of the muscles getting affected, that is “disuse” which is given to us. Hence, it is not suitable to use it in this sentence.

Hence, the correct answer is Option ‘A’.

Note:In such types of sentences, we should try to understand the meaning of the sentence and then find the most suitable option. Although, all the options put in the blank will make the sentence grammatically correct but the meaning will change. Here, the word "disuse" makes it clear that "atrophied" is the best suitable answer to this question.