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Practice Reading: Fill in the Blanks (Dropdown) ID: #38970 Painting
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Below is a text with blanks. Click on each blank, a list of choices will appear. Select the appropriate choice for each blank.
Why    is    it    that    television    so    consistently    fails    when    it    to    programmes    about    the    visual    arts?    Painting    and    sculpture    should    be    subjects    for    the    camera,    which    has    the    ability    to    show    a    whole    work    of    art,    then    move    in    close    to    examine    the    details.    Yet    I    can    think    of    few    series    on    television    that    have    managed    to    both    the    pleasure    and    complexity    of    looking    at    them.    A    good    example    of    what    goes    wrong    can    be    seen    in    Robert    Hughes's    eight    part    survey    of    American    art,    American    Visions.    Hughes    is    a    critic    you    can    trust,    he    has    a    personality    that    commands    attention    and    he    has    been    given    nearly    eight    hours    in    which    to  .    British    audiences    to    a    school    of    art    that    British    galleries    have    totally    ignored.    I    had    expected    the    series    to    on    great    works    of    art.    What    I    got    instead    was    one    about    the    way    American    history    and    culture    are    in    its    art    and    architecture.    

Result:

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

Explanation: The verb 'comes' fits grammatically as it is used in the present tense, aligning with the subject 'it' and the context of discussing television's performance. The phrase 'when it comes to' is a common idiomatic expression that indicates a specific topic or situation being addressed.

Meaning: 'Comes' in this context means to arrive at or deal with a particular subject, indicating how television approaches the topic of visual arts.

Wrong options:

  • applies: 'Applies' suggests putting something into practice, which does not fit the idiomatic expression used here.
  • takes: 'Takes' implies a different meaning, often related to capturing or seizing, which does not convey the intended context of addressing a topic.
  • addresses: 'Addresses' means to deal with or discuss, but it lacks the idiomatic nuance of 'comes to' that is commonly used in English.
Correct answer: natural

Explanation: The adjective 'natural' is appropriate here as it describes subjects that are inherently suitable or fitting for the camera, aligning with the context of discussing visual arts. It conveys the idea that painting and sculpture should logically be easy subjects for visual representation.

Meaning: 'Natural' means something that is normal or expected, suggesting that painting and sculpture should be obvious choices for visual media.

Wrong options:

  • due: 'Due' implies a reason or obligation, which does not fit the context of describing suitability for the camera.
  • right: 'Right' suggests correctness but lacks the specific connotation of suitability that 'natural' provides in this context.
  • apparent: 'Apparent' means clear or obvious, but it does not convey the same sense of inherent suitability as 'natural' does.
Correct answer: convey

Explanation: The verb 'convey' fits grammatically and contextually as it means to communicate or express something effectively. In this case, it refers to the ability of a television series to express the pleasure and complexity of visual arts.

Meaning: 'Convey' means to communicate or make known, particularly in the context of expressing feelings or ideas about art.

Wrong options:

  • inflict: 'Inflict' means to impose something unpleasant, which is contrary to the intended meaning of sharing pleasure and complexity.
  • cast: 'Cast' typically refers to throwing or directing something, which does not fit the context of expressing or communicating ideas about art.
  • emit: 'Emit' means to send out or give off, which does not align with the idea of expressing or conveying emotions and complexities.
Correct answer: introduce

Explanation: The verb 'introduce' is suitable here as it means to present or bring something to attention. In this context, it refers to Hughes presenting a school of art to the audience, fitting both grammatically and contextually.

Meaning: 'Introduce' means to present something for the first time, particularly in a way that makes it known to others.

Wrong options:

  • acquaint: 'Acquaint' means to make someone familiar with something, but it lacks the directness of 'introduce' in this context.
  • disclose: 'Disclose' means to reveal something that was hidden, which does not fit the context of presenting art to an audience.
  • reveal: 'Reveal' implies uncovering something, but it does not convey the act of presenting or introducing a subject as effectively as 'introduce' does.
Correct answer: focus

Explanation: The verb 'focus' is appropriate as it means to concentrate attention or effort on something specific. In this context, it indicates the expectation of the series to center on significant works of art, fitting both grammatically and contextually.

Meaning: 'Focus' means to direct attention or effort towards a particular subject or area, suggesting an emphasis on great works of art.

Wrong options:

  • target: 'Target' implies aiming at something specific, but it does not convey the same sense of concentration as 'focus' does in this context.
  • aim: 'Aim' suggests a goal or intention, which is less direct than 'focus' when discussing the content of a series.
  • cover: 'Cover' means to include or deal with a topic, but it lacks the precision of 'focus' in indicating a concentrated approach.
Correct answer: reflected

Explanation: The verb 'reflected' fits grammatically as it is in the past tense, aligning with the context of discussing how American history and culture are represented in art. It indicates that the art shows or mirrors these aspects.

Meaning: 'Reflected' means to show or demonstrate something, particularly in the context of how art represents cultural and historical elements.

Wrong options:

  • borne: 'Borne' is the past participle of 'bear,' meaning to carry or support, which does not fit the context of representation in art.
  • conferred: 'Conferred' means to grant or bestow, which does not align with the idea of showing or representing in this context.
  • hinted: 'Hinted' implies a suggestion rather than a clear representation, which does not convey the direct relationship between art and culture as effectively as 'reflected' does.

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