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Practice Reading: Fill in the Blanks (Dropdown) ID: #44085 Television
Instructions ›
Below is a text with blanks. Click on each blank, a list of choices will appear. Select the appropriate choice for each blank.
Davina    McCall    is    now    a(n)    accomplished    television    presenter    but,    by    her    own    admission,    she    was    'a    troubled    teenager'.    In    fact,    at    one    time    she    was    completely    out    of    control.    When    she    was    three    years    old,    her    parents    split    up.    She    saw    her    father    most    weekends    but    her    mother    moved    back  to    her    France    and    Davina    only    saw    her    very    occasionally.    She    was    brought    up    by    her    grandparents,    for    which    she    was    teased    at    school,    together    with    the    fact    that    she    had    no    money.    When    she    was    thirteen,    she    went    to    live    with    her    father    and    his    second    wife,    and    that    was    when    her    troubles    began.    She    attention    and    stopping    eating    was    her    attempt    to    get    it.    Things    went    from    bad    to  .    It    was    her    eleven-year-old    half-sister    who    made    her    realise    what    a    mess    she    had    become.    She    realised    that    she    wasn't    just    harming    herself    -    she    was    letting    everyone    else    down    too.    She    would    tell    her    sister    she    would    pick    her    up    from    school    and    then    not  .  She    says    she    is    now    deeply    ashamed    of    the    way    she    treated    her    family.

Result:

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

Explanation: The word 'highly' fits grammatically as it is an adverb that modifies the adjective 'accomplished,' indicating a significant degree of accomplishment. It aligns contextually with the positive sentiment of the sentence, emphasizing Davina McCall's success as a television presenter.

Meaning: 'Highly' means to a great degree or extent, suggesting that Davina is very accomplished in her field.

Wrong options:

  • largely: The word 'largely' implies a significant part but does not convey the same intensity of achievement as 'highly.'
  • greatly: While 'greatly' suggests a large extent, it is less commonly used to modify 'accomplished' compared to 'highly.'
  • utterly: 'Utterly' indicates completeness but is typically used in negative contexts, making it unsuitable for describing a positive trait like being accomplished.
Correct answer: native

Explanation: The term 'native' is appropriate here as it refers to someone’s place of origin, which in this context is France. It fits grammatically as a noun that complements the phrase 'her __BLANK2__ France.'

Meaning: 'Native' means belonging to a particular place by birth, indicating that France is Davina's country of origin.

Wrong options:

  • home: While 'home' could fit, it is too vague and does not specify the cultural or geographical aspect that 'native' conveys.
  • mother: 'Mother' does not fit contextually as it refers to a person rather than a place, making it irrelevant here.
  • ethnic: 'Ethnic' relates to cultural identity but does not directly indicate a geographical origin, thus not fitting the context.
Correct answer: mercilessly

Explanation: The adverb 'mercilessly' fits well as it describes the intensity of the teasing Davina experienced. It aligns grammatically and contextually, emphasizing the harshness of the bullying she faced at school.

Meaning: 'Mercilessly' means without mercy or compassion, indicating that the teasing was severe and relentless.

Wrong options:

  • totally: 'Totally' suggests completeness but lacks the emotional weight needed to describe the nature of the teasing.
  • gracelessly: 'Gracelessly' implies a lack of grace but does not convey the severity of the teasing, making it less suitable.
  • shamefully: 'Shamefully' implies a sense of guilt or disgrace, which does not accurately describe the action of teasing.
Correct answer: craved

Explanation: The verb 'craved' fits grammatically as it indicates a strong desire for attention, aligning with the context of Davina's emotional state. It conveys a sense of longing that is appropriate for the sentence.

Meaning: 'Craved' means to have an intense desire for something, in this case, attention.

Wrong options:

  • yearned: While 'yearned' also indicates a strong desire, it carries a more poetic connotation that may not fit the straightforward context of the sentence.
  • hankered: 'Hankered' is less commonly used and may not convey the same intensity of desire as 'craved.'
  • longed: 'Longed' is similar to 'craved' but is often used in more romantic or sentimental contexts, making it less fitting here.
Correct answer: worse

Explanation: The word 'worse' is the correct comparative form of 'bad,' fitting grammatically and contextually to indicate a decline in Davina's situation. It logically follows the phrase 'went from bad to __BLANK5__.'

Meaning: 'Worse' means of poorer quality or lower standard, indicating that things deteriorated further.

Wrong options:

  • worst: 'Worst' is the superlative form and does not fit the comparative structure of the sentence.
  • bad: Using 'bad' would not convey the intended progression of worsening, as it does not follow the comparative structure.
  • terrible: While 'terrible' conveys a negative sentiment, it does not fit grammatically as a comparative form in this context.
Correct answer: turn up

Explanation: The phrase 'turn up' is an idiomatic expression meaning to arrive or appear, fitting grammatically and contextually in the sentence about Davina's commitment to her sister. It aligns with the informal tone of the narrative.

Meaning: 'Turn up' means to arrive or appear at a place, especially when expected.

Wrong options:

  • show round: 'Show round' means to guide someone around a place, which does not fit the context of arriving at a location.
  • pick up: 'Pick up' implies collecting someone but does not convey the idea of simply arriving, making it less suitable here.
  • come forward: 'Come forward' typically means to present oneself or offer information, which does not fit the context of failing to arrive.

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