He missed the point because he took the statement _____.
Answer Details
The correct option to fill the gap is "literally".
When someone misses the point because they take a statement "literally", it means they are interpreting the statement exactly as it is stated, without taking into account any figurative or implied meanings. This can lead to a misunderstanding of the intended message, because sometimes what is being said is not meant to be taken strictly at face value.
For example, if someone says "I'm dying of thirst", they don't actually mean that they are literally dying, but rather that they are very thirsty. If someone takes that statement literally, they might react in a way that is inappropriate or not helpful, such as calling an ambulance.
In general, it's important to understand the context and intended meaning behind a statement, rather than just taking it literally, in order to fully grasp what is being communicated.