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Practice Reading: Fill in the Blanks (Dropdown) ID: #1236 British journalists
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.
* Select the correct answer into all dropdown fields. You need to answer all questions before clicking verify button.
For  a  mild–mannered  people  who  are  forever  begging  your  pardon  and  saying  "please"  and  "sorry,"  British  journalists  are  a  surprisingly  macho  lot.  The  British  media  may  not  have    anything  on  the  scale  of  Watergate  but  that  is  because  for  all  its  warts  British  politics  remains  relatively  less  corrupt  than  across  the  pond.  In  other  words,  the  British  political  class  has  not  given  its  journalists  enough    to  expose  something  which  would  sit  in  the  same  class  as  Watergate.  Yet  it  has  had  its  share  of  political  scalps.  At  the  best  of  times,  there  is  a  media  frenzy  abroad,  fed  partly  by  the  demands  of  the  24–hour  rolling  TV  news  and  partly  by  a  compulsive  desire  on  the  part  of  journalists  to  do  "in"  a  government  which  lives  by  "spin"  and  will  go  to  any  length  to  use  them  to  mislead  the  country.  Beneath  the  ,  there  is  perpetual  tension  with  the  two  constantly  wrestling  to  out  spin  each  other,  resulting  in  a  loss  of    for  both.  Opinion  polls  show  that  an  overwhelming  majority  of  people  do  not  believe  a  word  of  what  either  the  media  or  the  government  says.  

Result:

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Correct answer: achieved

Explanation: The word 'achieved' fits grammatically as it indicates a successful completion of a goal or task, which aligns with the context of the British media's performance compared to Watergate. The past participle form is appropriate here, as it refers to an action that has not occurred in the past.

Meaning: 'Achieved' means to successfully reach a desired objective or result, indicating that the British media has not reached a significant milestone like Watergate.

Wrong options:

  • announced: 'Announced' implies making something known publicly, which does not fit the context of comparing media scandals.
  • stated: 'Stated' refers to expressing something in words, which does not convey the sense of accomplishment or success needed here.
  • visualized: 'Visualized' means to form a mental image, which is irrelevant in the context of discussing media achievements.
Correct answer: opportunities

Explanation: The term 'opportunities' is suitable as it refers to chances or possibilities for journalists to uncover significant stories. This aligns with the context of the British political class not providing enough chances for exposure.

Meaning: 'Opportunities' means favorable situations or conditions that allow for action or progress, indicating that journalists lack the chances to reveal major scandals.

Wrong options:

  • ideas: 'Ideas' refers to thoughts or concepts, which does not fit the context of providing chances for journalists to act.
  • points: 'Points' suggests specific pieces of information or arguments, which does not convey the sense of chances needed in this context.
  • arguments: 'Arguments' implies a reasoned discussion or debate, which does not align with the idea of providing chances for exposure.
Correct answer: surface

Explanation: The word 'surface' fits well as it refers to the outer layer or appearance of something, which is relevant in discussing the underlying tension between the media and government. It suggests that beneath the visible aspects, there is more complexity.

Meaning: 'Surface' means the outermost layer or aspect of something, indicating that there is more beneath the visible tensions between the media and the government.

Wrong options:

  • belt: 'Belt' does not fit contextually as it refers to a physical item and does not relate to the idea of underlying tensions.
  • mask: 'Mask' implies a disguise or cover, which does not accurately convey the idea of an outer layer in this context.
  • fun: 'Fun' refers to enjoyment or amusement, which is irrelevant to the serious nature of the tensions being discussed.
Correct answer: credibility

Explanation: The term 'credibility' is appropriate as it refers to the quality of being trusted and believed in, which is central to the context of public perception of the media and government. It fits grammatically as a noun that represents a loss of trust.

Meaning: 'Credibility' means the quality of being convincing or believable, indicating that both the media and government have lost the public's trust.

Wrong options:

  • credulity: 'Credulity' refers to a tendency to be too ready to believe something, which does not fit the context of loss of trust.
  • credence: 'Credence' means belief in or acceptance of something as true, but it is less commonly used in this context compared to 'credibility.'
  • credit: 'Credit' refers to acknowledgment or recognition, which does not convey the idea of trustworthiness in the same way as 'credibility.'

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