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Practice Reading: Fill in the Blanks (Dropdown) ID: #31544 Higher Education Funding
Instructions ›
Below is a text with blanks. Click on each blank, a list of choices will appear. Select the appropriate choice for each blank.
Financing  of  Australian  higher  education  has  undergone  dramatic  change  since  the  early  1970s.  Although  the  Australian  Government  provided  regular  funding  for  universities  from  the  late  1950s,  in  1974,  it    full  responsibility  for  funding  higher  education  –    tuition  fees  to  make  the  university    to  all  Australians  who  had  the    and  who  wished  to  participate  in  higher  education.  Since  the  late  1980s,  there  has  been  a  move  towards  greater  private  contributions,    student  fees.  In  1989,  the  Australian  Government  introduced  the  Higher  Education  Contribution  Scheme  (HECS),  which  included  a  loans  scheme  to  help  students  finance  their  contributions.  This  enabled  university  to  remain  accessible  to  students  by  delaying  their  payments  until  they  could  afford  to  pay  off  their  loans.  In  2002,  the  Australian  Government    a  scheme  similar  to  HECS  for  postgraduate  students  -  the  Postgraduate  Education  Loan  Scheme  (PELS).  Funding  for  higher  education  comes  from  various  sources.  This  article  examines  the  three  main  sources  -  Australian  Government  funding,  student  fees  and  charges,  and  HECS.  While  the  proportion  of  total    raised  through  HECS  is  relatively  small,  HECS  payments  are  a  significant  component  of  students'  university  costs,  with  many  students  carrying  a  HECS  debt  for  several  years  after  leaving  university.  This  article  also  focuses  on  the  characteristics  of  university  students  based  on  their  HECS  liability  status,  and  the  level  of  accumulated  HECS  debt.

Result:

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Correct answer: assumed

Explanation: The word 'assumed' fits grammatically as it indicates taking on responsibility, which aligns with the context of the sentence discussing the government's role in funding education. It is in the past tense, matching the timeline of the events described.

Meaning: 'Assumed' means to take on or accept a responsibility or duty.

Wrong options:

  • affirmed: 'Affirmed' means to confirm or validate something, which does not convey the idea of taking responsibility.
  • allured: 'Allured' means to attract or entice, which is unrelated to the context of funding responsibilities.
  • attacked: 'Attacked' means to confront or criticize, which does not fit the context of assuming responsibility for funding.
Correct answer: abolishing

Explanation: The word 'abolishing' is appropriate as it indicates the act of formally ending tuition fees, which is the intended meaning in the context of making education accessible. It is a gerund that fits the grammatical structure following 'responsibility for funding higher education.'

Meaning: 'Abolishing' means to formally put an end to a system, practice, or institution.

Wrong options:

  • polishing: 'Polishing' means to make something shiny or improve it, which does not relate to the context of tuition fees.
  • astonishing: 'Astonishing' means surprising or amazing, which does not fit the context of funding education.
  • ravishing: 'Ravishing' means delightful or enchanting, which is irrelevant to the context of tuition fees.
Correct answer: accessible

Explanation: The word 'accessible' is grammatically correct as it describes the state of being able to be reached or entered, which aligns with the context of making higher education available to all Australians.

Meaning: 'Accessible' means easy to approach or reach, particularly in terms of availability.

Wrong options:

  • excessed: 'Excessed' is not a standard English word and does not convey a clear meaning in this context.
  • accessed: 'Accessed' is a verb that means to obtain or make use of, which does not fit the context of describing education's availability.
  • recessible: 'Recessible' means capable of being recessed or withdrawn, which does not apply to the context of education accessibility.
Correct answer: ability

Explanation: The word 'ability' fits grammatically as it refers to the capacity or skill to do something, which is relevant in the context of participating in higher education.

Meaning: 'Ability' means the power or skill to do something.

Wrong options:

  • credit: 'Credit' refers to the acknowledgment of a person's contribution or a financial term, which does not fit the context of participation in education.
  • added: 'Added' is the past participle of 'add,' which does not convey the necessary meaning of capacity in this context.
  • steaded: 'Steaded' is not a standard English word and does not convey a clear meaning in this context.
Correct answer: particularly

Explanation: The word 'particularly' is appropriate as it emphasizes the specific aspect of student fees in the context of private contributions to education funding.

Meaning: 'Particularly' means especially or specifically.

Wrong options:

  • ridiculously: 'Ridiculously' means in a manner that is absurd or unreasonable, which does not fit the context of discussing contributions.
  • sustainability: 'Sustainability' refers to the ability to be maintained at a certain rate or level, which does not directly relate to the context of student fees.
  • accessibility: 'Accessibility' refers to the quality of being able to be reached or entered, which does not fit the context of describing the nature of contributions.
Correct answer: introduced

Explanation: The word 'introduced' fits grammatically as it indicates the act of bringing something into use for the first time, which aligns with the context of the government implementing a new scheme.

Meaning: 'Introduced' means to bring something into use or operation for the first time.

Wrong options:

  • reduced: 'Reduced' means to make smaller or less in amount, which does not fit the context of implementing a new scheme.
  • affused: 'Affused' is not a standard English word and does not convey a clear meaning in this context.
  • refused: 'Refused' means to indicate that one is not willing to do something, which is contrary to the context of introducing a new scheme.
Correct answer: revenue

Explanation: The word 'revenue' is appropriate as it refers to the income generated from various sources, which fits the context of discussing funding for higher education.

Meaning: 'Revenue' means the income generated from normal business operations.

Wrong options:

  • money: 'Money' is a general term for currency and does not specifically convey the structured concept of income in this context.
  • losses: 'Losses' refer to the amount lost or the negative balance, which is contrary to the context of raising funds.
  • funds: 'Funds' is a general term for money available for a specific purpose, but 'revenue' is more precise in the context of income generation.

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