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Practice Listening: Fill in the Blanks (Type In) ID: #37017 Short Picasso
Instructions ›
You will hear a recording. Type the missing words in each blank.
* Fill in the missing words into the blank fields
It  is  not  very  easy  to  read  the  painting  because  Picasso  has    the  composition  in  terms  of  a  flat  pattern  of  overlapping  and  interlocking  transparent  planes.  This,  the  thin    brushed  paint,  and  the  cool,  undemonstrative  colours  give  the  painting  the  appearance  of  an  underwater  world  of  slow-moving  calm  and  .  But  this  is  disturbed  by  what  seems  to  be  an  impending  battle  between  the  fish,  baring  their  teeth,  and  the  crab,  with  its    claws.  Those  sharp,  pointed  forms  are    by  the  scales.  Even  the  chain  going  round  one  of  the  fish  takes  on  a  more  sinister  aspect.  There  is  an    of  menace  and  barely  suppressed  violence  that  gives  the  picture  a  symbolic  edge.  

Result:

AI explanationShows the answer. Tap to open.
Correct answer: treated

Explanation: Listen again to "Picasso has treated the composition". The phrase needs an action word after "has" so watch for ed ending.

Meaning: "treated" means handled or shown in a particular way here.

Wrong options:

  • treted: It leaves out the "a". Write "treated". Only the exact spelling gets the mark.
  • treat: "treat" is missing the ending. The speaker says "treated", with "ed" at the end.
Correct answer: delicately

Explanation: Here you hear "the thin delicately brushed paint". You need a word that tells how, so it ends in ly.

Meaning: "delicately" means in a careful, gentle way.

Wrong options:

  • delicatly: It leaves out the "e". The right spelling is "delicately". Every letter must be correct to get the mark.
  • delicate: "delicate" is missing the ending. The speaker says "delicately", with "ly" at the end.
Correct answer: harmony

Explanation: The speaker says "slow-moving calm and harmony". The word after "and" is a thing, not an action.

Meaning: "harmony" means a peaceful, balanced feeling among elements.

Wrong options:

  • harmoney: It adds an extra "e". Write "harmony". Only the exact spelling gets the mark.
Correct answer: open

Explanation: You hear "the crab, with its open claws". After "its" you need a describing word for the claws, one word only.

Meaning: "open" means spread out or not closed here.

Wrong options:

  • opn: It leaves out the "e". Write "open". Only the exact spelling gets the mark.
  • opened: "opened" has an extra "ed" at the end. The speaker says "open".
Correct answer: echoed

Explanation: Listen for "sharp, pointed forms are echoed by". The word after "are" describes what the forms do, so it ends in ed.

Meaning: "echoed" means repeated or reflected in another part of the picture.

Wrong options:

  • ecchoed: It adds an extra "c". The right spelling is "echoed". Every letter must be correct to get the mark.
  • echoing: "echoing" is a close word, but it ends in "ing". The speaker says "echoed", which ends in "ed".
Correct answer: undercurrent

Explanation: On the recording you hear "There is an undercurrent of menace". After "an" you need a thing word, so listen for the full word.

Meaning: "undercurrent" means a hidden feeling or idea below the surface.

Wrong options:

  • current: This shorter word changes the meaning. The speaker uses the hidden or subtle idea.

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