Final answer:
To complete the sentence 'The match will start _____ than I expected,' the blank can be filled with either 'earlier' or 'later' depending on whether the match is starting sooner or later than anticipated, respectively.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question, "The match will start _____ than I expected," is seeking to fill in the blank with the correct word to complete the sentence. In English, when comparing the timing of an event with a person's expectations, words such as "earlier" or "later" are commonly used. Depending on whether the match is starting sooner or after than anticipated, the correct word would be chosen accordingly.
If the match is beginning before the time one originally thought, you would use "earlier." This would suggest that the event is happening ahead of schedule. For example: "The match will start earlier than I expected." Conversely, if the match is starting at a time beyond what was expected, the word "later" would be correct. For instance: "The match will start later than I expected."
It is important to carefully listen to or ask for context to determine which word would accurately complete the sentence, as the meaning changes significantly depending on the word used.