Choose the correct option to fill in the blank:
He ______ sleep after reading at least 20 pages every night, when he lived in hostel.

Question

Choose the correct option to fill in the blank:
 He ______ sleep after reading at least 20 pages every night, when he lived in hostel.

Accepted Answer

Explanation:

1. **Justification for Option 2 ("would"):**
   - The word "would" is used to describe a habitual action in the past. In the given sentence, "He ______ sleep after reading at least 20 pages every night, when he lived in hostel," the context indicates a repeated or habitual action that occurred in the past. The phrase "when he lived in hostel" clearly sets the timeframe in the past, and "every night" suggests a routine or habit. Therefore, "would" is the appropriate choice to convey this habitual past action.

2. **Explanation for why other options are incorrect:**

- **Option 1 ("will"):**
     - "Will" is used to express future actions or intentions. Since the sentence refers to a past routine, "will" is not suitable because it does not align with the past context provided by "when he lived in hostel."

- **Option 3 ("might"):**
     - "Might" is used to express possibility or permission, often in a conditional or uncertain context. The sentence describes a definite habitual action in the past, not a possibility or uncertainty. Therefore, "might" does not fit the context of a regular past activity.

- **Option 4 ("shall"):**
     - "Shall" is typically used to express future actions or to make offers and suggestions, primarily in formal contexts. It is not used to describe past habitual actions. Thus, "shall" is inappropriate for the sentence, which is set in the past.

In conclusion, Option 2 ("would") is the correct choice because it accurately conveys the idea of a habitual action that took place in the past, aligning perfectly with the context of the sentence.