Question 671 markFill in the BlankSection A

Fill in the blank with a suitable word given in brackets : Infrastructure limitations _ (impedes/spurs) digital adoption.

Reading Comprehension (Unseen Passage)
Reading Comprehension — Unseen Passage (Digital Divide)

Official answer

impedes — a 'limitation' (shortage of infrastructure) can only hinder, not encourage, digital adoption.

Answer keywords:impedesinfrastructuredigital adoptionhinderobstructdigital divide

Marking scheme

  1. 1.1 mark: correct word 'impedes' selected and written exactly as given in the bracket (accept 'impede' only if subject-verb agreement is separately addressed; standalone blank credited for 'impedes').

Hint

Ask which word logically pairs with 'limitations' — something that hinders or something that helps?

Quick oral answer

The correct word is 'impedes' because infrastructure limitations can only hold back or obstruct digital adoption, not encourage it — 'spurs' would contradict the meaning of 'limitations'.

Common mistakes

  1. 1.Choosing 'spurs' because it is a less common/more attractive-sounding word, without checking logical sense.
  2. 2.Not checking subject-verb agreement (singular 'limitations' needs 'impede' in some contexts, but the bracket format usually expects the exact word given).

Analysis and explanation

The subject 'infrastructure limitations' can only hinder progress, never accelerate it — that logic alone decides the answer.


Concept

  • 'Impedes' = obstructs/slows down; 'spurs' = encourages/speeds up — the two options are near-antonyms.
  • The choice depends on subject–verb–object logic, not grammar rules.

Key Points

  • A limitation (shortage of infrastructure) logically impedes — it cannot logically spur — digital adoption.
  • Mentally substitute each option and test which reading makes real-world sense.

Common Mistakes

  • Picking 'spurs' because it sounds more positive/progressive, without checking meaning against the subject 'limitations'.

Interesting facts

India's digital divide is closely tied to infrastructure: as of recent telecom data, rural broadband penetration lags urban penetration by a wide margin, illustrating exactly the kind of 'infrastructure limitation' this passage refers to.

The word 'impede' comes from Latin 'impedire' meaning 'to entangle the feet' — literally to shackle or trap the feet, which is why it means to obstruct progress.

Question details

Q67 of 72 questions

Board
CBSE
Class
Class 10
Subject
English (Language & Literature)
Year
2026
Section
Section A
Marks
1
Type
Fill in the Blank
Chapter
Reading Comprehension (Unseen Passage)
Topic
Reading Comprehension — Unseen Passage (Digital Divide)
Bloom's level
understand
Syllabus topic
Reading Section: Unseen Passage — Vocabulary in Context (digital infrastructure/adoption theme)
Author
CBSE
Reviewed by
Padhantu Academic Team

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Frequently asked questions

Why is 'spurs' incorrect here?

'Spurs' means to encourage or speed something up, which contradicts the meaning of 'limitations' — a shortage or lack cannot encourage adoption, only hinder it.

Is this testing grammar or vocabulary?

Primarily vocabulary-in-context: understanding the meaning of both options and choosing the one that fits logically with the rest of the sentence.