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Practice Reading: Fill in the Blanks (Dropdown) ID: #36553 Fairtrade sources
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  key  ingredient  needed  to  produce  chocolate  is  of  course  the  cocoa  bean.  Whether  in  Africa,  Latin  America  or  Asia,  almost  all  cocoa  beans    on  small  farms  which  are  often  family  businesses.
All  types  of  farming  are  difficult,  but  cocoa  farming  is  even  harder  because  this  plant  is    able  to  survive  in  difficult  weather  conditions  as  crops  like  wheat  or  corn.  Another  complication  is  that  farmers  have  to  wait  years  for  their  cocoa  plants  to  be  ready  for  the  market.  In  addition,  many  cocoa  farmers  face  pressure  from  large  chocolate  companies.    these  businesses  control  the  market,  farmers  have  to  agree  to  sell  their  crops  at  a  very  low  price.
Individual  consumers  can  do  something  about  this  issue    chocolate  which  comes  from  Fairtrade  sources.  Fairtrade  is  an  organisation  which  sells  farmers’  products  to  companies  for  a  fair  price  so  that  farmers  can  support  their  families.  Fairtrade  organisations  also  develop  community  projects.

Result:

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Correct answer: are grown

Explanation: The phrase 'are grown' is in the present passive voice, which is appropriate here as it indicates a general truth about cocoa beans being cultivated on small farms across various regions. This aligns with the ongoing nature of cocoa farming, making it grammatically and contextually suitable for the sentence.

Meaning: 'Are grown' means that cocoa beans are cultivated or produced, emphasizing the current and continuous action of farming cocoa beans.

Wrong options:

  • were growing: This option is in the past continuous tense, which does not fit the context of a general statement about cocoa farming today.
  • have been growing: This present perfect continuous tense suggests an ongoing action that started in the past and continues to the present, which is not the intended meaning here.
  • had grown: This past perfect tense indicates an action completed before another past action, which is irrelevant in the context of discussing current cocoa farming practices.
Correct answer: not as

Explanation: The phrase 'not as' is used to make a comparative statement, indicating that cocoa plants are less capable of surviving difficult weather conditions compared to other crops. This fits grammatically and contextually as it establishes a comparison between cocoa and other crops.

Meaning: 'Not as' means to a lesser degree, suggesting that cocoa plants have a lower ability to survive harsh conditions than crops like wheat or corn.

Wrong options:

  • more: This word would imply that cocoa plants have a greater ability to survive, which contradicts the intended meaning of the sentence.
  • most: This superlative form suggests that cocoa plants are the best at surviving, which is incorrect in this context.
  • not much: This phrase is vague and does not provide a clear comparative structure needed for the sentence.
Correct answer: Since

Explanation: The word 'Since' is used here to indicate a causal relationship, explaining why farmers have to sell their crops at low prices. It fits grammatically and contextually as it introduces the reason for the farmers' predicament.

Meaning: 'Since' means because, indicating that the control of the market by large businesses is the reason for the low prices farmers receive.

Wrong options:

  • Due to: This phrase is typically used to introduce a reason but does not fit smoothly at the beginning of the clause as 'Since' does in this context.
  • Also: This word suggests an addition rather than a cause, which does not align with the intended meaning of explaining the situation of farmers.
  • Although: This word introduces a contrast rather than a reason, making it unsuitable for the context of explaining the farmers' challenges.
Correct answer: by purchasing

Explanation: The phrase 'by purchasing' indicates the method through which consumers can help cocoa farmers, fitting grammatically and contextually as it describes the action consumers can take to support Fairtrade sources.

Meaning: 'By purchasing' means that consumers can take action through the act of buying chocolate from Fairtrade sources to make a positive impact.

Wrong options:

  • who will purchase: This phrase introduces a relative clause but does not convey the intended meaning of how consumers can help, making it grammatically incorrect in this context.
  • in order to purchase: This phrase suggests a purpose rather than a method, which does not fit the structure of the sentence as effectively as 'by purchasing.'
  • when purchased: This phrase implies a condition rather than an action that consumers can take, making it unsuitable for the context.

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