In this article, we will break down the meaning and grammatical structure of the sentence from the question, focusing specifically on the use of ‘whom’ and ‘they’. The correct selection of the word for blank 7 is also explained, helping to clarify the reasoning behind it.
Understanding the Sentence Structure
The sentence in question discusses the responsibility of governments to support society, specifically in relation to children. The blank in the sentence (marked as 7) has four options, and the correct answer is ‘so-called’. Let’s first look at the complete sentence:
Leaving society without support when it comes to creating and nourishing children is to abandon the government’s duty to govern and is a disastrous refusal to take responsibility for the future of the [7] societies whom they claim to represent.
The word ‘so-called’ fits perfectly here because it emphasizes that the term ‘societies’ is being referred to in a way that is often used but may not necessarily be an accurate or solid representation. ‘So-called’ works well to describe how the governments claim to represent these societies.
Why ‘So-Called’ Is the Right Choice
‘So-called’ refers to something that is named or referred to in a particular way, but the speaker may question or challenge the appropriateness of that label. In this case, ‘so-called societies’ refers to the communities that governments claim to represent, but the speaker might be implying that the governments are failing to truly support or represent them. The other options (ideal, real, and very) would not fit the context as effectively:
- Ideal implies something perfect, which does not align with the context of abandonment or neglect.
- Real suggests authenticity, but the context here is questioning the legitimacy of the representation.
- Very is an intensifier, which does not make sense in this context.
Grammatical Function of ‘Whom’ and ‘They’
Now, let’s break down the use of ‘whom’ and ‘they’ in the sentence:
‘Whom’ is used here as the object of the verb ‘represent.’ It refers to the ‘societies’ mentioned earlier in the sentence. In modern English, ‘whom’ is often replaced with ‘who’ in casual speech, but in formal writing, ‘whom’ is correct when it functions as an object.
‘They’ refers to the subject of the action, which is implied to be the government. The sentence is suggesting that these governments, despite claiming to represent these societies, are not fulfilling their duties properly.
Conclusion
By understanding the correct use of ‘so-called’ in this context and analyzing the grammatical roles of ‘whom’ and ‘they’, we can see how each element works together to convey the intended meaning of the sentence. Whether you’re preparing for exams or trying to improve your grammar, focusing on sentence structure and understanding subtle word choices will greatly enhance your language skills.
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