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Practice Reading: Fill in the Blanks (Dropdown) ID: #38848 Inversion
Instructions ›
Below is a text with blanks. Click on each blank, a list of choices will appear. Select the appropriate choice for each blank.
When    I    talk    about    practice,    I    mean    something    individual.    If    you    look    at    professional    golfers    or    tennis    players,    you    will    observe    that    practice    the    basis    of    their    preparation    for    tournaments.    Of    course    it    does,    these    are    individual    sports.    Training    is    simply    doing    the    physical    work    necessary    to    be    sufficiently    fit,    but    practice    entails    making    an    analysis    of    one's    game,    locating    its    weak    points,    and    working    to    them.    If    your    opponent    keeps    winning    points    by    serving    high    to    your    backhand,    there's    no    place    to    hide;    you    either    have    to    the    weakness,    or    you'll    keep    losing    to    him.    He'll    exploit    your    weaknesses    mercilessly.    Part    of    what    is    fascinating,    and    slightly    repellent,    about    sport    lies    in    that    curious    inversion    of    values      much    that    we    admire    in    ordinary    life    —    humility,    compassion,    unwillingness    to    take    advantage    of    the    weakness    of    others    —    is    reversed    on    the    field    of    play.    Professional    sport    is    all    about    winning.    And,    within    the    more    you    practise    (and    the    more    you    train),    the    better    your    chances    of    doing    so.    

Result:

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Correct answer: forms

Explanation: The word 'forms' fits grammatically as it is a verb that correctly agrees with the singular subject 'practice.' Contextually, it indicates that practice is a foundational element in preparation, aligning well with the overall message of the sentence.

Meaning: 'Forms' means to create or establish something, indicating that practice is essential in building the foundation for success in sports.

Wrong options:

  • lays: 'Lays' suggests placing something down, which does not convey the idea of establishing a basis effectively in this context.
  • composes: 'Composes' implies creating something from parts, which does not accurately reflect the role of practice in this context.
  • enacts: 'Enacts' means to perform or carry out, which does not fit the idea of establishing a foundational basis for preparation.
Correct answer: for

Explanation: The word 'for' is a preposition that indicates the reason or purpose, fitting well in the context of explaining why practice is important in individual sports.

Meaning: 'For' indicates a purpose or reason, clarifying that the statement is true because these sports are individual in nature.

Wrong options:

  • albeit: 'Albeit' means 'although' and does not fit grammatically or contextually as it introduces a contrast rather than a reason.
  • as with: 'As with' suggests a comparison, which does not logically connect to the statement about individual sports.
  • let alone: 'Let alone' implies a stronger contrast and does not fit the context of providing a reason for the previous statement.
Correct answer: eradicate

Explanation: The word 'eradicate' is a verb that means to completely remove or eliminate, fitting grammatically and contextually as it describes the action of addressing weaknesses in one's game.

Meaning: 'Eradicate' means to get rid of something completely, indicating the goal of practice is to eliminate weaknesses.

Wrong options:

  • rid: 'Rid' is less formal and does not convey the thoroughness implied by 'eradicate,' making it less suitable in this context.
  • wipe: 'Wipe' suggests a more casual removal and lacks the intensity of 'eradicate,' which is necessary for the context of improving performance.
  • extinguish: 'Extinguish' typically refers to putting out a fire and does not fit the context of addressing weaknesses in a game.
Correct answer: rectify

Explanation: The word 'rectify' is a verb that means to correct or make right, fitting grammatically and contextually as it describes the action needed to address a weakness in one's game.

Meaning: 'Rectify' means to correct a mistake or problem, indicating the need to fix the weakness in order to improve performance.

Wrong options:

  • alter: 'Alter' means to change but does not imply correcting a specific issue, making it less precise than 'rectify.'
  • square: 'Square' is not commonly used in this context and does not convey the idea of correcting a weakness effectively.
  • reform: 'Reform' suggests a broader change and does not specifically address the need to correct a particular weakness.
Correct answer: whereby

Explanation: The word 'whereby' is a conjunction that indicates the means by which something happens, fitting grammatically and contextually as it introduces the relationship between admiration and the inversion of values in sports.

Meaning: 'Whereby' means by which or through which, indicating how the inversion of values occurs in sports.

Wrong options:

  • in so far: 'In so far' is a phrase that indicates extent but does not fit the grammatical structure needed in this context.
  • thereof: 'Thereof' refers to something previously mentioned but does not connect logically to the inversion of values being discussed.
  • hence: 'Hence' indicates a conclusion or result, which does not fit the context of explaining the relationship between admiration and values.
Correct answer: reason

Explanation: The word 'reason' is a noun that fits grammatically and contextually as it indicates the rationale behind the statement about practice and training improving chances of success.

Meaning: 'Reason' refers to the cause or explanation for something, indicating that practice and training lead to better chances of winning.

Wrong options:

  • due: 'Due' is an adjective that does not fit grammatically in this context, as it does not convey the idea of a rationale.
  • sense: 'Sense' is a noun that does not logically connect to the idea of providing a reason for the statement about practice.
  • merit: 'Merit' refers to the quality of being good or worthy, which does not fit the context of explaining the rationale behind practice and training.

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