Loading question...
You are in free guest mode. Timed Practice Revision List Attempt History Progress Tracking Create a free account to unlock these tools
Prev Next
Practice Reading: Fill in the Blanks (Dropdown) ID: #4465 Graffiti
Instructions ›
Below is a text with blanks. Click on each blank, a list of choices will appear. Select the appropriate choice for each blank.
There  is  an  ongoing  debate  in  Britain  about  whether  examples  of  graffiti  should  be  preserved  as  'street  art'    regarded  as  vandalism  of  public  property  and  therefore  removed.  The  law  considers  graffiti  to  be  a  criminal  act,  and  if  ,  its  creators  can  be  arrested.  Local  officials  spend  significant  amounts  of  time  and  money  removing  graffiti  in  response  to  complaints  from  the  public,  who  proclaim  that  it  makes  an  area  look  dirty  and  unsafe.  Sometimes,  however,  the  officials    make  complex  decisions  as  to  which  graffiti  should  be  retained,  or  even  safeguarded.  Certain  pieces  are  admired  by  local  people  and  even  attract    to  the  area.  One  example,  by  the  graffiti  artist  known  only  as  Banksy,  vanished  in  2013  and  subsequently  appeared  at  an  auction.  Local  residents  were  outraged,  believing  that  the  graffiti  belonged  to    and  should  not  be  made  available  for  sale  to  a  wealthy  individual.

Result:

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

Explanation: The word 'or' is used to present an alternative, indicating that graffiti can be viewed either as 'street art' or as vandalism. This fits grammatically as it connects two contrasting ideas, aligning with the context of the ongoing debate.

Meaning: 'Or' is a conjunction used to indicate a choice or alternative between two options.

Wrong options:

  • and: 'And' suggests addition rather than contrast, which does not fit the context of presenting opposing views.
  • but: 'But' introduces a contradiction, which is not suitable here as both views are part of the debate rather than opposing statements.
  • even: 'Even' is used to emphasize a surprising or unexpected element, which does not apply in this context.
Correct answer: caught

Explanation: The word 'caught' is the past participle form of the verb 'catch,' fitting grammatically as it follows 'if' in a conditional clause. It indicates that if graffiti creators are apprehended, they can be arrested, aligning with the legal context provided.

Meaning: 'Caught' means to be captured or apprehended, particularly in the context of being discovered while committing an act.

Wrong options:

  • to catch: 'To catch' is an infinitive form and does not fit grammatically in the conditional structure of the sentence.
  • catching: 'Catching' is a gerund form and does not work in this context as it does not fit the conditional clause structure.
  • catches: 'Catches' is the present tense form, which is not appropriate here as the sentence requires a past participle.
Correct answer: must

Explanation: The word 'must' indicates a strong obligation or necessity, fitting grammatically and contextually as it conveys that officials are required to make complex decisions regarding graffiti retention.

Meaning: 'Must' expresses necessity or obligation, indicating that officials have a duty to make these decisions.

Wrong options:

  • might: 'Might' suggests possibility rather than necessity, which does not convey the required sense of obligation in this context.
  • should: 'Should' implies a recommendation rather than a requirement, which is weaker than the obligation expressed by 'must.'
  • ought: 'Ought' is similar to 'should' and does not convey the same level of necessity as 'must'.
Correct answer: tourism

Explanation: The word 'tourism' fits grammatically as a noun that refers to the activity of visiting places for pleasure. It aligns contextually with the idea of attracting visitors to the area due to admired graffiti.

Meaning: 'Tourism' refers to the business of providing services for people traveling for pleasure, indicating that the graffiti attracts visitors.

Wrong options:

  • sightseeing: 'Sightseeing' refers to the activity of visiting places of interest, but it does not fit as a noun that describes the overall concept of attracting visitors.
  • exploration: 'Exploration' implies a search or investigation, which does not fit the context of attracting visitors to admire graffiti.
  • visitation: 'Visitation' refers to the act of visiting, but it is less commonly used in this context compared to 'tourism,' which encompasses the broader concept.
Correct answer: them

Explanation: The word 'them' is a pronoun that correctly refers to the local residents, maintaining pronoun-antecedent agreement in number and gender. It fits contextually as it indicates the residents' belief about ownership of the graffiti.

Meaning: 'Them' is a pronoun used to refer to a group of people previously mentioned, in this case, the local residents.

Wrong options:

  • us: 'Us' implies inclusion of the speaker, which does not fit as the residents are expressing a belief about ownership separate from the auction context.
  • him or her: 'Him or her' is singular and does not match the plural antecedent of 'local residents,' making it grammatically incorrect.
  • they: 'They' is a pronoun that could refer to the residents, but it does not fit the possessive context of ownership as effectively as 'them.'

The rest of this explanation is for members. Sign in free to read why the other options are wrong, key words and tips.

Sign in to read the full explanation

With a free account: Retry and compare every attempt.
Be the first! No community answers here yet. Submit yours and help others learn.
How difficult was this question?
Others found: 100% Easy · 0% Medium · 0% Hard
Saving...