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Practice Reading: Fill in the Blanks (Dropdown) ID: #47278 Salmon
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Below is a text with blanks. Click on each blank, a list of choices will appear. Select the appropriate choice for each blank.
* Select the correct answer into all dropdown fields. You need to answer all questions before clicking verify button.
Each  fall,  thousands  of  coho  salmon  flock  to    rivers  to  spawn.  But  many  never  get  the  chance,  especially  near  big  cities  like  Seattle.  "And  in  some  of  these  urban  areas,  up  to  90  percent  of  the  females  were  dying  before  they  spawned,  which  is  not  a  good  thing  for  a  population  long  term."  Julann  Spromberg  ,  a  toxicologist  affiliated  with  the  Northwest  Fisheries  Science  Center.  Researchers  suspected  these  deaths  were  partly  a  matter  of  bad  timing.  The  fish  often  reach  streams  during  the  first  showers  of  the  rainy  season,  which  flush  chemicals  from  roads  and  parking  lots  into  the  water.  Now,  Spromberg  and  her  colleagues  have  produced  the  first  direct  evidence  that  this  runoff  kills  coho  salmon.  Their  study  is  in  the  Journal  of  Applied  Ecology.  The  researchers  found  that  fish  exposed  to  storm  water  from  Seattle-area  highways  quickly  grew  sick  and  died.  Surprisingly,  though,  the  salmon  did  not  seem  to  mind  taking  a  dip  in  a  cocktail  of  common  road  pollutants,  including    and  metals.  That  detail  suggests  the  killer  ingredient  in  runoff  may  be  a  different  kind  of  chemical  or  a  lethal  combination  of  several  .  "There's  a  whole  lot  of  stuff  in  here  that  we  haven't  been  able  to  measure  or  don't  have  the  capabilities  of    at  this  point."  However,  Spromberg  says  there's  a  way  to  help  the  fish  even  before  scientists  hunt  down  the  culprit.  Her  team  also  found  that    runoff  through  just  a  few  feet  of  soil  made  storm  water  safe  for  salmon.  Cities  can    this  simple  form  of  clean  water  technology  by  building  more  systems,  including  roadside  rain  gardens,  to  collect  runoff  from  paved  areas  and  pass  it  through  soil  before  it  enters  urban  waterways.  Literally  a  quick  and  dirty  solution.

Result:

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

Explanation: The word 'northwest' correctly identifies a geographical direction, which is essential for understanding where the coho salmon are heading to spawn. It fits grammatically as a noun and contextually as it refers to a specific region known for salmon spawning.

Meaning: 'Northwest' refers to the direction that is between north and west, indicating the specific area where the rivers are located.

Wrong options:

  • protect: 'Protect' is a verb that does not fit grammatically in this context, as the sentence requires a noun to indicate a location.
  • meant: 'Meant' is the past tense of 'mean,' which does not fit contextually as it does not refer to a location.
  • rebuilt: 'Rebuilt' is a past participle verb that does not fit the grammatical structure needed for a noun indicating a place.
Correct answer: hydrocarbons

Explanation: The term 'hydrocarbons' refers to organic compounds made of hydrogen and carbon, which are common pollutants in stormwater runoff. It fits grammatically as a plural noun and contextually as it aligns with the discussion of pollutants affecting salmon.

Meaning: 'Hydrocarbons' are chemical compounds consisting entirely of hydrogen and carbon, often found in fuels and pollutants.

Wrong options:

  • carcass: 'Carcass' refers to the dead body of an animal, which does not fit contextually as it is unrelated to the discussion of pollutants.
  • mothers: 'Mothers' is a plural noun referring to female parents, which is irrelevant in this context about pollutants.
  • harness: 'Harness' is a noun or verb related to controlling or utilizing something, which does not fit the context of discussing chemical pollutants.
Correct answer: compounds

Explanation: The word 'compounds' refers to substances formed from two or more elements, fitting grammatically as a plural noun and contextually as it relates to the various chemicals that could be harmful to salmon.

Meaning: 'Compounds' are substances formed when two or more elements are chemically bonded together.

Wrong options:

  • bloodhounds: 'Bloodhounds' are a breed of dog known for their tracking ability, which is irrelevant in this context about chemicals.
  • knockouts: 'Knockouts' typically refer to a type of victory in sports or genetics, which does not relate to the discussion of chemical substances.
  • dropouts: 'Dropouts' refers to individuals who leave a program or institution before completion, which is not relevant to the context of chemical discussions.
Correct answer: measuring

Explanation: The word 'measuring' is a gerund that fits grammatically as it describes the action of quantifying substances. Contextually, it aligns with the idea of assessing the chemicals present in the runoff.

Meaning: 'Measuring' refers to the process of determining the size, amount, or degree of something, in this case, the chemicals in the runoff.

Wrong options:

  • frittering: 'Frittering' means wasting time or resources, which does not fit the context of scientific measurement.
  • glistening: 'Glistening' refers to shining or sparkling, which is unrelated to the act of measuring chemicals.
  • heralding: 'Heralding' means announcing or proclaiming, which does not fit the context of assessing or measuring substances.
Correct answer: filtering

Explanation: The word 'filtering' is a gerund that fits grammatically as it describes the action of purifying water. Contextually, it aligns with the discussion of making stormwater safe for salmon.

Meaning: 'Filtering' refers to the process of removing impurities or unwanted elements from a substance, in this case, stormwater.

Wrong options:

  • stenciling: 'Stenciling' refers to a method of creating designs or letters, which is irrelevant in the context of water purification.
  • pressuring: 'Pressuring' means applying force or influence, which does not relate to the context of cleaning water.
  • pensioning: 'Pensioning' refers to providing a pension, which is unrelated to the topic of water treatment.
Correct answer: implement

Explanation: The word 'implement' is a verb that fits grammatically as it describes the action of putting a plan into effect. Contextually, it aligns with the idea of cities adopting new technologies for water management.

Meaning: 'Implement' means to put a decision, plan, or agreement into effect.

Wrong options:

  • polemicist: 'Polemicist' refers to a person who engages in controversial debates, which does not fit the context of water management.
  • littlest: 'Littlest' is a superlative adjective that does not fit grammatically or contextually in this sentence.
  • dissonant: 'Dissonant' refers to a lack of harmony or agreement, which is irrelevant in the context of implementing solutions.

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