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Practice Reading: Fill in the Blanks (Dropdown) ID: #31978 Edible Insects
Instructions ›
Below is a text with blanks. Click on each blank, a list of choices will appear. Select the appropriate choice for each blank.
Fancy  locust  for  lunch?  Probably  not,  if  you  live  in  the  west,  but  elsewhere  its  a  different  story.  Edible  insects  termites,  stick  insects,  dragonflies,  grasshoppers  and  giant  water  bugs  are  on  the  menu  for  an    80  percent  of  the  world’s  population.  More  than  1000  species  of  insects  are  served  up  around  the  world.  For  example,  kungu  cakes  made  from  midges  are  a    in  parts  of  Africa.  Mexico  is  an  insect-eating  or  entomophagous  hotspot,  where  more  than  200  insect  species  are  consumed.    is  so  high  that  40  species  are  now  under  threat,  including  white  agave  worms.  These  caterpillars  of  the  tequila  giant-skipper  butterfly  fetch  around  $250  a  kilogram.  Eating  insects  makes    sense.  Some  contain  more    than  meat  or  fish.  The  female  gypsy  moth,  for  instance,  is  about  80  percent  protein.  Insects  can  be  a  good  source  of  vitamins  and  minerals  too:  a  type  of  caterpillar  (Usta  Terpsichore)  eaten  in  Angola  is  rich  in  iron,  zinc  and  thiamine.  What  do  they  taste  like?  Ants  have  a  lemon  tang,  apparently,  whereas  giant  water  bugs  taste  of  mint  and  fire  ant  pupae  of  watermelon.  You  have  probably,  inadvertently,  already  tasted  some  of  these  things,  as  insects  are  often  accidental  tourists  in  other  types  of  food.  The  US  Food  and  Drug  Administration  even  issues  guidelines  for  the  number  of  insect  parts  allowed  in  certain  foods.  For  example,  it  is    for  225  grams  of  macaroni  to  contain  up  to  225  insect  fragments.

Result:

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Correct answer: estimated

Explanation: The word 'estimated' fits grammatically as it describes an approximation of the percentage of the world's population that consumes edible insects. It aligns with the context of discussing statistics and is the correct tense and form for this sentence.

Meaning: 'Estimated' means calculated or approximated based on available data, indicating that 80 percent is not an exact figure but a close approximation.

Wrong options:

  • remented: 'Remented' is not a standard English word and does not fit grammatically or contextually.
  • scattered: 'Scattered' implies a distribution that does not relate to the population percentage, making it contextually irrelevant.
  • dated: 'Dated' refers to something that is old or out of style, which does not apply to the context of estimating a population percentage.
Correct answer: delicacy

Explanation: The word 'delicacy' is appropriate here as it refers to a special food item that is considered rare or luxurious, fitting the context of discussing a unique food item in Africa.

Meaning: 'Delicacy' means a rare or luxurious food item that is often enjoyed on special occasions.

Wrong options:

  • pride: 'Pride' refers to a feeling of satisfaction or self-respect, which does not fit the context of food.
  • cropped: 'Cropped' relates to harvesting or cutting plants, which is not relevant to describing a food item.
  • dropped: 'Dropped' means to fall or let fall, which does not relate to the context of food or culinary terms.
Correct answer: Demand

Explanation: The word 'Demand' fits well as it indicates the desire for a product, which is relevant in the context of discussing the consumption of insect species and their threat status.

Meaning: 'Demand' refers to the need or desire for a product, in this case, edible insects.

Wrong options:

  • Supply: 'Supply' refers to the amount of a product available, which does not fit the context of discussing the need for insect species.
  • Stared: 'Stared' is the past tense of 'stare,' which is unrelated to the context of consumption or market needs.
  • Started: 'Started' refers to the beginning of an action, which does not apply to the context of demand for edible insects.
Correct answer: nutritional

Explanation: The word 'nutritional' is appropriate as it describes the health benefits of eating insects, fitting the context of discussing the advantages of insect consumption.

Meaning: 'Nutritional' relates to the nutrients and health benefits provided by food.

Wrong options:

  • pressed: 'Pressed' refers to applying pressure, which does not relate to the context of food or health.
  • taste: 'Taste' refers to the flavor of food, which does not fit the context of discussing the benefits of eating insects.
  • used: 'Used' implies something that has been utilized, which does not apply to the context of discussing health benefits.
Correct answer: protein

Explanation: The word 'protein' fits grammatically and contextually as it refers to a nutrient that is being compared to meat and fish, making it relevant in the discussion of nutritional content.

Meaning: 'Protein' is a vital nutrient necessary for building and repairing tissues in the body.

Wrong options:

  • calcium: 'Calcium' is a mineral important for bone health, but it does not fit the context of comparing nutritional content with meat or fish.
  • smell: 'Smell' refers to the scent of food, which is unrelated to the nutritional comparison being made.
  • taste: 'Taste' refers to flavor, which does not fit the context of discussing nutritional content.
Correct answer: acceptable

Explanation: The word 'acceptable' fits well as it indicates that the presence of insect fragments in food is permitted, aligning with the context of food safety regulations.

Meaning: 'Acceptable' means that something is allowed or considered satisfactory according to certain standards.

Wrong options:

  • recepted: 'Recepted' is not a standard English word and does not fit grammatically or contextually.
  • tasted: 'Tasted' refers to the act of sampling food, which does not apply to the context of regulations regarding insect parts in food.
  • grated: 'Grated' refers to shredding food into small pieces, which does not relate to the context of food safety standards.

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