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Practice Reading: Fill in the Blanks (Dropdown) ID: #39344 Archaeology
Instructions ›
Below is a text with blanks. Click on each blank, a list of choices will appear. Select the appropriate choice for each blank.
Archaeology    is    a    messy    business.  There's    no    getting    away    from    it;    digging    holes    in    the    ground    is    an    part    of    archaeological    work.    But    there    is    a    new    way    to    search    without    a    shovel.    Satellite    images    are    now    used    to    identify  buried    objects    in    landscapes    with    astonishing    precision.  In    the    same    way    that    medical    let    doctors    examine    parts    of    the    body    they    couldn't    otherwise    see,    satellite    images    help    scientists    find    and    map    long-lost    rivers,    roads    and    cities,    and    make    archaeological    features    in    places    which    are    very    difficult    to    survey    from    the    ground.    'There's    much    we    miss    on    the    ground,'    emphasises    archaeologist    Sarah    Parcak,    a    pioneer  in    using    satellite    imagery.    Through    'thousands    of    hours'    of    trial    and    Parcak    has    developed    techniques    using    satellite    imagery    which    allow    her    to    detect    changes    in    the    surface    of    the    land    caused    by    objects    like    bricks    buried    underground.    In    2011,    her    team    discovered    evidence    of    hundreds    of    dwellings    at    the    3,000    year    old    city    of    Tanis    near    the    River    Nile    delta    in    Egypt.    This    might    have    taken    a    century    using    traditional    methods.    

Result:

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Correct answer: inevitable

Explanation: The word 'inevitable' fits grammatically as it describes something that cannot be avoided, which aligns with the context of digging being a necessary part of archaeology. It conveys the idea that this aspect of the work is unavoidable, matching the sentiment of the sentence.

Meaning: 'Inevitable' means certain to happen; unavoidable, indicating that digging is a fundamental aspect of archaeological work that cannot be escaped.

Wrong options:

  • inflexible: 'Inflexible' means rigid or unable to change, which does not convey the unavoidable nature of digging in archaeology.
  • inclusive: 'Inclusive' refers to including all parts or elements, which does not relate to the necessity of digging in this context.
  • infalliable: 'Infalliable' means incapable of making mistakes or being wrong, which does not apply to the context of digging being a necessary part of archaeology.
Correct answer: scans

Explanation: The word 'scans' is appropriate as it refers to the process of examining something closely, which fits the context of medical imaging. It aligns grammatically and contextually with the idea of doctors using technology to see parts of the body.

Meaning: 'Scans' refers to the use of imaging technology to examine or inspect something, particularly in a medical context.

Wrong options:

  • looks: 'Looks' is too vague and informal for this context, lacking the specificity of examining with technology.
  • regards: 'Regards' implies consideration or attention but does not convey the action of examining or inspecting.
  • sights: 'Sights' refers to the act of seeing but does not fit the technical context of medical imaging.
Correct answer: out

Explanation: The word 'out' fits grammatically and contextually as it indicates the action of making something visible or clear. It aligns with the idea of identifying archaeological features that are not easily seen from the ground.

Meaning: 'Out' in this context means to reveal or make known, particularly in relation to archaeological features.

Wrong options:

  • through: 'Through' implies a means of doing something but does not convey the action of revealing or identifying features.
  • for: 'For' indicates purpose but does not fit the context of making features visible.
  • up: 'Up' does not convey the intended meaning of revealing or identifying features in this context.
Correct answer: error

Explanation: The word 'error' fits well as it refers to a mistake made during the process of trial and experimentation. It aligns grammatically and contextually with the idea of learning from mistakes in developing techniques.

Meaning: 'Error' means a mistake or inaccuracy, particularly in the context of trial and error in research.

Wrong options:

  • failure: 'Failure' implies a lack of success but does not specifically refer to mistakes made during the process.
  • mistake: 'Mistake' is similar to 'error' but is less formal and does not fit the tone of the sentence as well.
  • fault: 'Fault' implies blame or responsibility, which does not align with the context of learning from trials.
Correct answer: subtle

Explanation: The word 'subtle' is appropriate as it describes changes that are not immediately obvious, fitting the context of detecting slight variations in the land's surface. It aligns grammatically and contextually with the idea of nuanced detection.

Meaning: 'Subtle' means delicate or not obvious, indicating that the changes detected are minor and require careful observation.

Wrong options:

  • hard: 'Hard' implies difficulty or toughness, which does not relate to the nature of the changes being detected.
  • mild: 'Mild' suggests a gentle or moderate quality but does not convey the nuanced nature of the changes.
  • soft: 'Soft' refers to texture or gentleness, which does not fit the context of detecting changes in the land.

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