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Practice Reading: Fill in the Blanks (Dropdown) ID: #31571 Ocean Floor
Instructions ›
Below is a text with blanks. Click on each blank, a list of choices will appear. Select the appropriate choice for each blank.
The  ocean  floor  is  home  to  many  unique  communities  of  plants  and  animals.  Most  of  these  marine  ecosystems  are  near  the  water  surface,  such  as  the  Great  Barrier  Reef,  a  2,000-km  long  coral    off  the  north-eastern  coast  of  Australia.  Coral  reefs,  like  nearly  all  complex  living  communities,  depend  on  solar  energy  for  growth  (photosynthesis).  The  sun's  energy,  however,  penetrates  at  most  only  about  300m  below  the  surface  of  the  water.  The  relatively  shallow  penetration  of  solar  energy  and  the  sinking  of  cold,  subpolar  water  combine  to  make  most  of  the  deep  ocean  floor  a    environment  with  few  life  forms.
In  1977,  scientists  discovered  hot  springs  at  a  depth  of  2.5  km,  on  the  Galapagos  Rift  (spreading  ridge)  off  the  coast  of  Ecuador.  This  exciting  discovery  was  not  a  .  Since  the  early  1970s,  scientists  had  predicted  that  hot  springs  (geothermal  vents)  should  be  found  at  the  active  spreading  centres  along  the  mid-oceanic  ridges,  where  magma,  at  temperatures  over  1,000  °Presumably  was  being  erupted  to  form  new  oceanic  crust.  More  exciting,  because  it  was  totally  ,  was  the  discovery  of  abundant  and  unusual  sea  life  -  giant  tube  worms,  huge  clams,  and  mussels  -  that    around  the  hot  springs.

Result:

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Correct answer: formation

Explanation: The word 'formation' fits grammatically as a noun that describes the process of creating or developing something, in this case, the coral reef. It aligns contextually with the sentence, which discusses the Great Barrier Reef as a significant coral structure.

Meaning: 'Formation' refers to the action of forming or the state of being formed, particularly in a geological or biological context.

Wrong options:

  • storming: 'Storming' implies a violent weather event and does not relate to the creation of coral reefs, making it contextually irrelevant.
  • linking: 'Linking' suggests a connection rather than a physical structure, which does not fit the context of describing the reef itself.
  • bringing: 'Bringing' indicates an action of carrying or delivering, which does not appropriately describe the coral reef's nature.
Correct answer: frigid

Explanation: The term 'frigid' is an adjective that describes extremely cold temperatures, fitting grammatically and contextually as it characterizes the deep ocean floor environment where few life forms exist due to the cold conditions.

Meaning: 'Frigid' means very cold, often to the point of being inhospitable, which accurately describes the deep ocean environment.

Wrong options:

  • regular: 'Regular' implies something that is normal or standard, which does not convey the extreme coldness of the environment.
  • great: 'Great' suggests something large or significant, but does not relate to temperature or environmental conditions.
  • stopping: 'Stopping' indicates a cessation of movement or action, which is not relevant to describing the coldness of the ocean floor.
Correct answer: surprise

Explanation: The word 'surprise' fits grammatically as a noun that indicates an unexpected event, aligning well with the context of the discovery of hot springs, which was anticipated by scientists.

Meaning: 'Surprise' refers to an unexpected event or occurrence, which accurately describes the nature of the discovery in this context.

Wrong options:

  • fame: 'Fame' refers to being well-known or recognized, which does not apply to the context of a scientific discovery.
  • report: 'Report' is a noun that refers to a document or statement, which does not fit the context of describing the nature of the discovery.
  • declamation: 'Declamation' refers to a formal speech or recitation, which is unrelated to the context of a scientific finding.
Correct answer: unexpected

Explanation: The word 'unexpected' is an adjective that describes something not anticipated, fitting grammatically and contextually as it emphasizes the surprising nature of the discovery of unusual sea life.

Meaning: 'Unexpected' means not anticipated or foreseen, which highlights the surprising aspect of the discovery.

Wrong options:

  • ravelled: 'Ravelled' means to become tangled or complicated, which does not fit the context of describing the nature of the discovery.
  • stopped: 'Stopped' indicates a cessation of action, which does not relate to the surprising nature of the discovery.
  • done: 'Done' implies completion, which does not convey the sense of surprise associated with the discovery.
Correct answer: thrived

Explanation: The word 'thrived' is a verb that indicates flourishing or prospering, fitting grammatically and contextually as it describes how the sea life exists around the hot springs.

Meaning: 'Thrived' means to grow or develop well, which accurately describes the abundant sea life found near the hot springs.

Wrong options:

  • raged: 'Raged' implies a violent or intense action, which does not fit the context of describing how sea life exists.
  • sided: 'Sided' suggests taking a position or being on one side, which is irrelevant to the context of sea life around hot springs.
  • longed: 'Longed' indicates a strong desire for something, which does not apply to the existence of sea life in this context.

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