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Practice Reading: Fill in the Blanks (Dropdown) ID: #35841 Academic research
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  topic  of  gender  equality  in  the  workplace  has  been  discussed  for  a  number  of  years.  Recently,  research  into  the  topic  has  been    pace  with  scholars  starting  to  pool  their  resources  in  their  efforts  to  collaboratively  identify  the  fundamental  themes.  Many  researchers  aim  to  help  address  inequality    the  challenges  that  exist.
Academic  research  examines  occupations,  industries  and  organisational  hierarchy  to  gain  a  deeper  understanding  of  the  working  realities    by  women  in  the  labour  market.  Labour  market  policies  tend  to  be  based  on  economists’  workplace  models  that  involve  an  outdated  assumption  that  only  men  have  lifelong  careers.
This  notion  does  not  tally  with  today’s  reality  in  which  women  state  their  intention  to  work    the  age  of  sixty.  Thus  this  seismic  shift  in  behaviour  should  be  factored  into  policy-making  decisions  and  reflected  in  workplace  practices.

Result:

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Correct answer: gathering

Explanation: The word 'gathering' fits grammatically as it indicates the action of collecting or accumulating research, which aligns with the context of scholars pooling resources. It also matches the present continuous tense implied by 'has been,' suggesting ongoing action.

Meaning: 'Gathering' means to collect or accumulate something, in this case, research on gender equality.

Wrong options:

  • producing: Producing implies creating or generating something, which does not fit the context of accumulating existing research.
  • increasing: Increasing suggests a rise in quantity or degree, but does not convey the action of collecting research, making it contextually inappropriate.
  • achieving: Achieving indicates reaching a goal or result, which does not align with the process of collecting research.
Correct answer: despite

Explanation: The word 'despite' is used to introduce a contrast, indicating that researchers aim to address inequality even in the face of challenges. This fits grammatically and contextually with the sentence structure.

Meaning: 'Despite' means in spite of or regardless of, highlighting the researchers' determination to tackle inequality despite existing obstacles.

Wrong options:

  • however: However is a transitional word that indicates a contrast but does not fit grammatically as it would require a preceding clause to connect to.
  • although: Although introduces a dependent clause and does not fit the structure of the sentence, which requires a preposition to indicate contrast.
  • nevertheless: Nevertheless also indicates contrast but is more formal and does not fit the grammatical structure as smoothly as 'despite'.
Correct answer: faced

Explanation: The word 'faced' is the past participle form that fits grammatically with 'are' implied in the context, indicating the challenges that women encounter in the labour market. It aligns with the overall theme of examining realities.

Meaning: 'Faced' means to confront or deal with something, in this case, the challenges women experience in the workplace.

Wrong options:

  • forced: Forced implies being compelled to do something, which does not accurately describe the challenges women encounter.
  • resisted: Resisted suggests opposition, which does not fit the context of women experiencing challenges in the labour market.
  • addressed: Addressed implies dealing with or discussing issues, which does not fit the context of describing the challenges faced.
Correct answer: beyond

Explanation: The word 'beyond' fits grammatically and contextually, indicating that women intend to work past the age of sixty. It conveys the idea of extending into the future, aligning with the sentence's meaning.

Meaning: 'Beyond' means at a point further away in time or space, indicating that women plan to continue working after the age of sixty.

Wrong options:

  • towards: Towards suggests direction but does not convey the idea of extending into the future as 'beyond' does.
  • through: Through implies a process or duration but does not fit the context of working past a specific age.
  • upon: Upon indicates a point in time but does not convey the ongoing nature of working beyond a certain age.

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