Meaning: A 'fight' refers to a physical confrontation or struggle between individuals.

Wrong options:

• battle: 'Battle' refers to a larger conflict or engagement, typically involving multiple participants, which does not fit the context of a personal duel.
• gun: 'Gun' is a noun that refers to a firearm, which does not describe the action of the duel itself.
• kept: 'Kept' is a verb that does not fit as it does not describe an action related to the duel; it is unrelated to the noun form needed here.
• legal: 'Legal' is an adjective that describes something permitted by law, which does not fit as a noun in this context.
• obeyed: 'Obeyed' is a verb that indicates compliance, which does not fit as a noun for this blank.
• weapon: 'Weapon' is a noun that refers to a tool used for fighting, but it does not describe the action of the duel.

Correct answer: legal

Explanation: The term 'legal' is an adjective that describes the status of duelling as not permitted by law. It fits grammatically and contextually, indicating that duelling was against the law.

Meaning: 'Legal' means permitted by law or conforming to the law.

Wrong options:

• battle: 'Battle' is a noun that does not relate to the legality of duelling and does not fit grammatically as an adjective.
• fight: 'Fight' is a noun that describes the action of duelling, but it does not convey the legal status required in this context.
• kept: 'Kept' is a verb that does not describe the legal status of duelling and does not fit grammatically as an adjective.
• obeyed: 'Obeyed' is a verb that indicates compliance, which does not fit as an adjective to describe the legality of duelling.
• weapon: 'Weapon' is a noun that refers to a tool used for fighting, which does not relate to the legal status of duelling.

Correct answer: kept

Explanation: The word 'kept' is the past participle of the verb 'keep,' which fits grammatically as it describes the adherence to the social code governing duels. It aligns with the context of maintaining rules.

Meaning: 'Kept' means to have maintained or adhered to something, in this case, the rules of the duel.

Wrong options:

• battle: 'Battle' is a noun that does not fit grammatically as it does not describe an action related to maintaining rules.
• fight: 'Fight' is a noun that does not fit as it does not describe the action of adhering to rules.
• legal: 'Legal' is an adjective that does not fit as it does not describe an action related to the rules of the duel.
• obeyed: 'Obeyed' is a verb that indicates compliance, but it does not fit grammatically in the context of the sentence as it does not match the structure needed here.
• weapon: 'Weapon' is a noun that does not relate to the action of maintaining rules.

Correct answer: weapon

Explanation: The term 'weapon' is a noun that refers to the tools used in a duel, fitting grammatically and contextually as it describes what was used in the duel after swords went out of fashion.

Meaning: A 'weapon' is an instrument used for fighting or defense.

Wrong options:

• battle: 'Battle' is a noun that refers to a larger conflict and does not fit as it does not describe the tools used in a duel.
• fight: 'Fight' is a noun that describes the action of duelling, but it does not refer to the tools used in that action.
• gun: 'Gun' is a specific type of weapon, but it does not encompass the broader category of tools used in duelling, making it less appropriate here.
• kept: 'Kept' is a verb that does not relate to the noun form needed to describe the tools used in a duel.
• legal: 'Legal' is an adjective that describes the status of duelling, which does not fit as a noun for this blank.
• obeyed: 'Obeyed' is a verb that indicates compliance, which does not fit as a noun to describe the tools used in a duel.