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Practice Reading: Fill in the Blanks (Dropdown) ID: #47154 Web-spinning
Instructions ›
Below is a text with blanks. Click on each blank, a list of choices will appear. Select the appropriate choice for each blank.
You    and    I    belong    to    a    species    with    a    remarkable    ability;    we    can    shape    events    in    each    other's    brains    with    exquisite    precision.    Language    is    so    woven    into    human    experience    that    it    is    scarcely    possible    to    imagine    life    without    it.    are    that    if    you    find    two    or    more    people    together    anywhere    on    earth,    they    will    soon    be    words.    When    there    is    no    one    to    talk    with,    people    talk    to    themselves,    to    their    dogs,    even    to    their    plants.    I    like    to    describe    the    skill    of    language    as    an    'instinct'.    This    the    idea    that    people    know    how    to    talk    in    more    or    less    the    sense    that    spiders    know    how    to    spin    webs.    Web-spinning    was    not    invented    by    some    unsung    spider    genius,    and    does    not    having    had    the    right    education    or    on    having    an    for    architecture    or    the    construction    trades

Result:

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

Explanation: The word 'tightly' fits grammatically as it describes how language is woven into human experience, suggesting a close and secure integration. It aligns contextually with the idea of language being an essential part of life, emphasizing its strong connection.

Meaning: 'Tightly' means in a firm or close manner, indicating that language is intricately linked to human experience.

Wrong options:

  • rigidly: Rigidly implies inflexibility, which does not convey the nuanced integration of language into experience.
  • stiffly: Stiffly suggests a lack of ease or fluidity, which contradicts the idea of language being a natural part of human interaction.
  • tautly: Tautly implies tension, which does not accurately reflect the relationship between language and human experience.
Correct answer: Chances

Explanation: 'Chances' fits well as it refers to the likelihood of an event occurring, which is appropriate in the context of people gathering and interacting. It aligns with the probabilistic nature of social interactions.

Meaning: 'Chances' means the likelihood or probability of something happening, indicating that social interactions are common.

Wrong options:

  • Probabilities: Probabilities is a more technical term and does not fit the conversational tone of the sentence.
  • Reasons: Reasons imply causation rather than likelihood, which does not match the context of social interactions.
  • Explanations: Explanations suggest clarification rather than the likelihood of events occurring, making it contextually inappropriate.
Correct answer: excahnging

Explanation: The word 'excahnging' fits grammatically and contextually as it describes the act of sharing words between people, which is a natural part of social interaction. It conveys the idea of mutual communication.

Meaning: 'Excahnging' means to give and receive in return, highlighting the interactive nature of conversation.

Wrong options:

  • sharing: Sharing implies a one-sided action, which does not fully capture the reciprocal nature of communication.
  • reciprocating: Reciprocating suggests responding to an action rather than the act of communication itself, making it less fitting here.
  • trading: Trading implies a transactional exchange, which does not accurately reflect the casual nature of conversation.
Correct answer: conveys

Explanation: The word 'conveys' fits grammatically and contextually as it describes how language communicates ideas. It aligns with the notion of instinctual knowledge in language use.

Meaning: 'Conveys' means to communicate or make known, indicating how language expresses ideas.

Wrong options:

  • transmits: Transmits suggests a more mechanical process, which does not capture the nuanced communication of ideas through language.
  • disseminates: Disseminates implies spreading information widely, which is not the focus of the sentence about personal communication.
  • transfers: Transfers suggests a movement from one place to another, which does not accurately describe the act of communicating ideas.
Correct answer: depend on

Explanation: The phrase 'depend on' fits grammatically and contextually as it indicates reliance on certain conditions for web-spinning. It aligns with the idea that spiders do not need specific education to spin webs.

Meaning: 'Depend on' means to rely on or be contingent upon, indicating that web-spinning is instinctual rather than learned.

Wrong options:

  • build on: Build on suggests a foundation for development, which does not fit the context of innate abilities.
  • count on: Count on implies trust or expectation, which does not accurately reflect the nature of instinctual behavior.
  • bank on: Bank on suggests a reliance that is more about expectation than the innate ability to perform a task.
Correct answer: aptitude

Explanation: The word 'aptitude' fits grammatically and contextually as it refers to a natural ability or talent, which aligns with the idea of instinctual skills in language and construction.

Meaning: 'Aptitude' means a natural ability to do something, indicating an inherent skill rather than learned knowledge.

Wrong options:

  • applicability: Applicability refers to relevance or suitability, which does not convey the idea of a natural talent.
  • intelligence: Intelligence implies cognitive ability rather than a specific skill or talent, making it less fitting in this context.
  • intuition: Intuition suggests an instinctive understanding, which is related but does not specifically denote a skill or ability.

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