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Practice Reading: Fill in the Blanks (Dropdown) ID: #1124 World War I
Instructions ›
Below is a text with blanks. Click on each blank, a list of choices will appear: Select the appropriate answer choice for each blank.
Before  the  start  of  World  War  I,  the  Gibson  girl  was  the  rage;  she  did  not  date,  and  waited  until  a  proper  young  man    to  her  for  marriage.  However,  nearly  a  whole  generation  of  young  men  had  died  in  the  War  leaving  a  whole    of  young  women  without  desirable  suitors.  They  decided  not  to  waste  away  their  young  lives  waiting  idly  for  spinsterhood  but  to  enjoy  life.  The  new  women  broke  away  from  the  set  conventions,  turned  fashionable,  they    the  black  wool  stockings  and  became  crazy  about  new  fashions,  wore  rayon  stockings,  feet,  ankles,  and  calves  formerly  hidden  were  now  on  show.  Scott  Fitzgerald  referred  to  them  as  a  “whole  race  going  hedonistic  deciding  on  pleasure”.  The  famous  film  star  Louise  Brooks  became  the  ideal  for  young  girls,  Brook’s  exuberant  social  life,  her  contacts  with  the  wealthy  and  her    life  style  inspired  young  women  to  break  away  from  the  Victorian  traditions  of  repression  and  conventionality.  The  Victorian  cult  of  true  womanhood  preached  “piety  and  purity”  as  the  cardinal  virtues  for  women.  They  were  supposed  to  follow  the  dictates  of  men  and  domesticity  was  the  chief  ideal  to  be    to  maintain  chastity  and  purity.

Result:

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

Explanation: The verb 'proposed' fits grammatically as it is in the past tense, aligning with the narrative's context about the Gibson girl waiting for a young man to ask her for marriage. It also maintains the correct subject-verb agreement and conveys the intended meaning of a marriage proposal.

Meaning: 'Proposed' means to formally suggest or put forward a plan or idea, in this case, a marriage offer.

Wrong options:

  • rejected: The verb 'rejected' implies refusal, which contradicts the context of waiting for a proposal; it does not fit grammatically as it suggests an action contrary to the expectation of a proposal.
  • denied: 'Denied' suggests a refusal of something that was requested, which does not align with the context of waiting for a proposal; it is also grammatically inconsistent with the sentence structure.
  • agreed: The verb 'agreed' indicates consent, which does not fit the context of a young man asking for marriage; it is not the action being described.
Correct answer: generation

Explanation: The word 'generation' is appropriate as it refers to a group of individuals born and living at the same time, which fits the context of young women left without suitors after the war. It is grammatically correct and contextually relevant.

Meaning: 'Generation' refers to all the people born and living at about the same time, often considered as a group.

Wrong options:

  • creation: The term 'creation' refers to the act of bringing something into existence, which does not fit the context of young women left without suitors; it is grammatically incorrect in this context.
  • lot: While 'lot' can refer to a group, it is too vague and does not specifically convey the idea of a cohort of young women; it lacks the precise meaning needed here.
  • society: 'Society' refers to a community of people, which is broader than the specific group of young women being discussed; it does not fit the context as well as 'generation'.
Correct answer: discarded

Explanation: The verb 'discarded' fits grammatically and contextually as it indicates the action of getting rid of something, which aligns with the new women's rejection of old-fashioned clothing. It is in the past tense, matching the narrative flow.

Meaning: 'Discarded' means to throw away or get rid of something that is no longer wanted or needed.

Wrong options:

  • adopted: The verb 'adopted' implies taking up or starting to use something, which contradicts the context of rejecting old styles; it does not fit the intended meaning.
  • created: 'Created' suggests making something new, which does not align with the action of getting rid of old clothing; it is grammatically inconsistent with the context.
  • brought: The verb 'brought' indicates carrying or leading something to a place, which does not fit the context of discarding clothing; it is not the action being described.
Correct answer: lavish

Explanation: The adjective 'lavish' fits well as it describes a lifestyle characterized by extravagance and luxury, which aligns with the context of Louise Brooks' life. It is grammatically correct and contextually appropriate.

Meaning: 'Lavish' means sumptuously rich, elaborate, or luxurious, indicating a lifestyle filled with abundance and excess.

Wrong options:

  • conservative: The term 'conservative' implies restraint and traditional values, which contradicts the idea of an extravagant lifestyle; it does not fit the context.
  • superficial: 'Superficial' suggests a lack of depth or seriousness, which does not accurately describe a lifestyle that is rich and extravagant; it is contextually inappropriate.
  • ignored: The verb 'ignored' means to pay no attention to something, which does not fit the context of describing a lifestyle; it is grammatically inconsistent.
Correct answer: pursued

Explanation: The verb 'pursued' fits grammatically as it is in the past tense and aligns with the context of actively seeking domesticity as an ideal. It conveys the intended meaning of striving for something.

Meaning: 'Pursued' means to follow or chase after something, in this case, the ideal of domesticity.

Wrong options:

  • shunned: The verb 'shunned' means to deliberately avoid or reject something, which contradicts the context of actively seeking domesticity; it does not fit the intended meaning.
  • traced: 'Traced' implies following a path or outline, which does not align with the context of seeking an ideal; it is grammatically inconsistent.
  • glamorous: The adjective 'glamorous' describes something attractive or exciting, which does not fit the context of pursuing domesticity; it is not the action being described.

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