Final answer:
All words 'repairs,' 'mends,' and 'fixes' can be correctly used to fill in the blank in the sentence 'He ____ old furniture,' as they are synonyms for making something that was broken or damaged whole or usable again. The choice depends on the context.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student asks about the correct verb to use in the sentence "He ____ old furniture." All three options given, repairs, mends, and fixes, could technically be used in this sentence as they are synonyms when referring to restoring something to a good condition. However, repairs is generally used when referring to more technical or complex fixes, like those in machinery or structural work; mends is often associated with repairing textiles or relationships; and fixes is the most general term that can be applied to almost any type of repair. Therefore, while all three could work, the best choice might be based upon the context of the sentence and the type of furniture being referred to.