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Practice Reading: Fill in the Blanks (Dropdown) ID: #38874 Bureaucracy
Instructions ›
Below is a text with blanks. Click on each blank, a list of choices will appear. Select the appropriate choice for each blank.
Given    that    bureaucracy    is    held    in    such    ill    today,    it    is    hard    to    remember    that    it    was    once    considered    a    great    organisational    innovation.    By    organising    the    of    labour,    by    making    management    and    decision-making    a    profession,    and    by    providing    an    order    and    a    set    of    rules    that    aidwed    many    different    kinds    of    specialists    to    work    in    coordination    toward    a    common    bureaucracy    greatly    extended    the    breadth    and    depth    of    intelligence    that    organisations    could    achieve.    Begun    as    a    system    of    organising    government    activities,    it    has      to    big    business    and    large    organisations    of    all    kinds.    Max    Weber,    who      the    systematic    study    of    bureaucracy    as    its    role    in    western    society    began    to    explode    in    the    late    nineteenth    century,    saw    bureaucracy    as    both    the    most    efficient    possible    system,    and    a    threat    to    the    basic    liberties    he    dear,    thus    foreshadowing    the    sentiments    which    bureaucracy    frequently    evokes    today.    

Result:

AI explanationShows the answer. Tap to open.
Correct answer: repute

Explanation: The word 'repute' fits grammatically as it is a noun that refers to the opinion generally held of someone or something, aligning with the context of how bureaucracy is viewed negatively today. It matches the structure of the sentence, which requires a noun that can be held in a certain way, thus making it contextually appropriate.

Meaning: 'Repute' means the general opinion or belief about someone or something, particularly in terms of quality or character.

Wrong options:

  • notoriety: Notoriety refers to being famous or well-known, typically for a bad quality or deed, which does not fit the neutral tone of the sentence.
  • knowledge: Knowledge is a noun that refers to facts, information, and skills acquired through experience or education, which does not relate to the sentiment of how bureaucracy is viewed.
  • name: Name is a noun that refers to a word or set of words by which a person or thing is known, which does not convey the idea of reputation or opinion.
Correct answer: division

Explanation: The word 'division' is appropriate as it refers to the act of dividing or the state of being divided, which fits the context of organizing labour. It is a noun that aligns with the grammatical structure of the sentence, indicating a specific organizational concept.

Meaning: 'Division' means the action of separating something into parts or the process of being separated, particularly in the context of labor organization.

Wrong options:

  • distinction: Distinction refers to a difference or contrast between similar things, which does not fit the context of organizing labor.
  • detachment: Detachment implies a state of being disconnected or separated, which does not align with the idea of organizing labor effectively.
  • divergence: Divergence refers to the process of differing or moving apart, which does not convey the intended meaning of organized labor.
Correct answer: end

Explanation: The word 'end' fits grammatically and contextually as it refers to a goal or purpose, which is what the specialists are working towards. It is a noun that completes the sentence logically, indicating the outcome of coordinated efforts.

Meaning: 'End' means the final part of something, or the goal that one aims to achieve.

Wrong options:

  • finish: Finish is a verb that means to complete something, which does not fit the noun requirement of the sentence.
  • culmination: Culmination refers to the highest point of something, which is more specific and does not fit the general goal implied in the sentence.
  • termination: Termination means the act of bringing something to an end, which does not convey the intended meaning of a goal or purpose.
Correct answer: spread

Explanation: The word 'spread' is appropriate as it is a verb that indicates the action of extending or distributing something over a larger area or among a larger group, fitting the context of bureaucracy's influence on various organizations. It aligns with the grammatical structure of the sentence, indicating an action taken by bureaucracy.

Meaning: 'Spread' means to extend over a larger area or to distribute widely, particularly in the context of ideas or systems.

Wrong options:

  • carried: Carried is a verb that implies physically holding or transporting something, which does not fit the context of bureaucracy's influence.
  • transmitted: Transmitted refers to the act of sending something from one place to another, which does not convey the idea of widespread influence effectively.
  • caught: Caught is a verb that implies capturing or seizing, which does not relate to the context of spreading ideas or systems.
Correct answer: launched

Explanation: The word 'launched' fits grammatically as it is a verb that means to start or set in motion, which aligns with the context of initiating the study of bureaucracy. It conveys the idea of beginning a significant academic endeavor, making it contextually appropriate.

Meaning: 'Launched' means to start or introduce something, particularly in a formal or organized way.

Wrong options:

  • opened: Opened is a verb that means to make something accessible, which does not convey the specific action of starting a study or initiative.
  • sprang: Sprang is the past tense of spring, which implies a sudden movement or emergence, not fitting the context of initiating a study.
  • fired: Fired typically refers to dismissing someone from a job or igniting something, which does not relate to the context of beginning a systematic study.
Correct answer: held

Explanation: The word 'held' is appropriate as it is the past tense of 'hold,' which means to have or keep in one's possession. It fits grammatically and contextually, indicating the values or beliefs that Weber maintained, aligning with the sentiment of the sentence.

Meaning: 'Held' means to have or keep something in one's possession, particularly in terms of beliefs or values.

Wrong options:

  • loved: Loved is a verb that expresses a strong affection, which does not fit the context of maintaining values or beliefs.
  • felt: Felt is a verb that indicates experiencing an emotion or sensation, which does not convey the idea of possessing values effectively.
  • knew: Knew is the past tense of know, which implies awareness or understanding, but does not fit the context of holding values or beliefs.

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