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Practice Listening: Fill in the Blanks (Type In) ID: #4700 Short Mathematics
Instructions ›
You will hear a recording. Type the missing words in each blank.
* Fill in the missing words into the blank fields
For  some  reason  mathematics  has  acquired  a  reputation  for  being  a  dull    without  application  in  the  'real  world'.  But  maths  is  an  amazing  subject,  one  that    almost  every  aspect  of  our  everyday  lives.  Computers,  including  smartphones,  are  designed  and    by  mathematicians.  Perhaps  you  like  the  cinema.  The  largest  employer  of  mathematicians  in  the  world  is  Pixar  Animations.  And  it  isn't  only  animated  films  that  require  mathematical  knowledge;  most  modern  special  effects  also  draw  on  the  same  skills.  Mathematicians  also  assist  in  an  incredible    of  investigations.  Some  examples  include  solving  mysterious  tropical  fish  deaths  in  a  zoo,  showing  when  salt  water  is  better  at    fire  than  plain  water,  and  modelling  the    of  various  diseases,  such  as  Asian  bird  flu.  Mathematics  is  the  king  of  science.  It  is  deep,  powerful  and  everywhere.

Result:

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

Explanation: On the recording you hear "a dull subject without". It comes after "a dull", so you need a word for a thing.

Meaning: "subject" means the area of study.

Wrong options:

  • subjet: It leaves out the "c". Check the letters: "subject". A small spelling mistake loses the mark.
Correct answer: underlies

Explanation: Listen again to "one that underlies almost". It comes after "one that", so you need an action word that ends in s.

Meaning: "underlies" means is the basis of or is under something.

Wrong options:

  • undelies: It leaves out the "r". Check the letters: "underlies". A small spelling mistake loses the mark.
  • underlie: "underlie" has no "s" at the end. The speaker says "underlies", so write the "s".
Correct answer: programmed

Explanation: Here you hear "are designed and programmed by". It follows "and", so the word ends in ed.

Meaning: "programmed" means made into software or given instructions for computers.

Wrong options:

  • programed: It leaves out the "m". The right spelling is "programmed". Every letter must be correct to get the mark.
  • programming: "programming" is a close word, but it ends in "ing". The speaker says "programmed", which ends in "ed".
Correct answer: variety

Explanation: The speaker says "in an incredible variety of". It follows "an incredible", so you need a word for more than one kind.

Meaning: "variety" means many different kinds or types.

Wrong options:

  • varity: It leaves out the "e". Check the letters: "variety". A small spelling mistake loses the mark.
  • various: This is a different word. The speaker used "variety".
Correct answer: combating

Explanation: You hear "better at combating fire than". After "at" the sentence needs an action word ending in ing.

Meaning: "combating" means fighting against something, here fighting fire.

Wrong options:

  • combatting: It adds an extra "t". Check the letters: "combating". A small spelling mistake loses the mark.
Correct answer: spread

Explanation: Listen for "modelling the spread of". The sentence needs a word for a thing.

Meaning: "spread" means how a disease moves from person to person.

Wrong options:

  • spred: It leaves out the "a". Check the letters: "spread". A small spelling mistake loses the mark.
  • spreaded: "spreaded" has an extra "ed" at the end. The speaker says "spread".

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