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Practice Reading: Fill in the Blanks (Dropdown) ID: #38971 Few birds
Instructions ›
Below is a text with blanks. Click on each blank, a list of choices will appear. Select the appropriate choice for each blank.
Few    birds    are    as    curious    as    keas.    New    research    shows    how    these    New    Zealand    parrots    channel    that    curiosity    for    maximum    benefit:    they    up    tips    by    watching    each    other.    Keas    are    notorious    for    investigating    and,    in    the    often    destroying    everything    from    rubbish    bins    to    windscreen    wipers.    Ludwig    Huber    and    colleagues    from    the    University    of    Vienna    have    found    that    in    keas,    which    live    in    family    flocks,    social    learning    affects    patterns    of    curiosity.    In    their    experiments,    the    keas'    task    was    to    open    a    steel    box    with    a    complex    locking    mechanism.    Two    birds    were    gradually    trained    as    'models'    and    then    they    the    task    again    under    the    watchful    gaze    of    keas    who    were    new    to    the    job.    enough,    birds    who    had    watched    a    demonstration    had    a    much    higher    success    than    keas    who    had    never    watched    one.    

Result:

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

Explanation: The adverb 'insatiably' describes an unquenchable or endless curiosity, which fits grammatically as it modifies the adjective 'curious' and contextually aligns with the idea of keas being extremely curious birds.

Meaning: 'Insatiably' means in a way that is impossible to satisfy, indicating that keas have an unending desire to explore and learn.

Wrong options:

  • hungrily: While 'hungrily' suggests a strong desire, it typically relates to food and does not convey the same depth of curiosity as 'insatiably'.
  • thirstily: Similar to 'hungrily', 'thirstily' implies a strong desire but is more commonly associated with needing water, making it contextually inappropriate for curiosity.
  • unmanageably: This term suggests something difficult to control, which does not accurately describe the nature of curiosity and does not fit grammatically as it does not modify 'curious' correctly.
Correct answer: pick

Explanation: The verb 'pick' is appropriate here as it indicates the action of selecting or gathering tips, fitting grammatically in the present tense and contextually as it describes how keas learn from observing each other.

Meaning: 'Pick' means to choose or gather something, in this case, tips or information from their peers.

Wrong options:

  • take: While 'take' could imply gathering, it lacks the specificity of 'pick' in the context of learning from observation.
  • lift: This verb suggests raising something, which does not fit the context of acquiring knowledge or tips from watching others.
  • pull: 'Pull' implies a physical action of drawing something towards oneself, which does not align with the context of learning or observing.
Correct answer: process

Explanation: The noun 'process' fits well as it refers to a series of actions or steps taken to achieve a particular end, aligning grammatically and contextually with the idea of keas' investigative behavior.

Meaning: 'Process' refers to a method or series of actions taken to achieve a result, in this case, the way keas investigate their environment.

Wrong options:

  • procedure: 'Procedure' implies a specific method or set of instructions, which is too formal and does not capture the exploratory nature of keas' behavior.
  • measure: This term refers to a standard unit or action taken to achieve something, which does not fit the context of curiosity and exploration.
  • technique: While 'technique' suggests a skillful way of doing something, it is too narrow and does not encompass the broader investigative behavior of keas.
Correct answer: performed

Explanation: The verb 'performed' is suitable as it indicates that the birds executed the task, fitting grammatically in the past tense and contextually as it describes the action taken by the trained keas.

Meaning: 'Performed' means to carry out or execute a task, in this case, the keas executing the task of opening the box.

Wrong options:

  • enacted: This term typically refers to putting something into action, often in a legal or formal context, which does not fit the informal setting of the keas' task.
  • staged: 'Staged' implies a planned or rehearsed performance, which does not accurately describe the natural behavior of the keas in this context.
  • presented: This verb suggests showing or displaying something, which does not accurately convey the action of completing a task.
Correct answer: Sure

Explanation: The adverb 'Sure' fits well as it expresses certainty, aligning grammatically and contextually with the statement that follows about the birds' success after watching the demonstration.

Meaning: 'Sure' means certain or confident, indicating that the statement is made with assurance based on the observed results.

Wrong options:

  • Certain: While 'certain' conveys a similar meaning, it is an adjective and does not fit grammatically as an adverb in this context.
  • True: This term implies factual correctness but does not convey the same level of confidence as 'sure' in this context.
  • Fair: 'Fair' typically relates to justice or equality, which does not fit the context of expressing certainty about the birds' success.
Correct answer: rate

Explanation: The noun 'rate' is appropriate as it refers to a measure or level of success, fitting grammatically and contextually within the sentence discussing the success of the birds.

Meaning: 'Rate' refers to the level or frequency of something, in this case, the success rate of the birds who observed the demonstration.

Wrong options:

  • proportion: This term refers to a part or share of a whole, which does not specifically convey the idea of success in the same way as 'rate'.
  • percentage: While 'percentage' indicates a specific portion out of 100, it is too precise and does not fit the broader context of success level indicated by 'rate'.
  • occurence: This noun refers to the frequency of something happening, which does not align with the context of measuring success.

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