A sentence has been given with a blank to be filled with an appropriate word. Choose the correct alternative.

To make your own gargle, ______ half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of lukewarm or partly cooled boiled water.

The correct answer is 'dissolve'.

Key Points

• The most appropriate word to fill in the given blank is 'dissolve'.
• Gargle means a liquid used in gargling. 
• Gargling means to hold (a liquid) in the mouth or throat and agitate with air from the lungs; to cleanse or disinfect (the oral cavity) in this manner.
• The sentence is discussing the process of making a gargle and specifically refers to adding half a teaspoon of salt to a glass of water. The correct verb to use in this context is "dissolve", as the salt needs to be mixed thoroughly into the water in order to create the gargle.
• Let's look why other options are incorrect:
  • Option 1 - "cease" means to stop or come to an end, which does not make sense in the context of the sentence.
  • Option 2 - "cast" means to throw or project, which does not make sense in this context either.
  • Option 3 - "consolidate" means to combine or unite into a single entity, which is not applicable here either. 
     

Correct Sentence: To make your own gargle, dissolve half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of lukewarm or partly cooled boiled water.