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Practice Reading: Fill in the Blanks (Dropdown) ID: #48212 Enlightenment
Instructions ›
Below is a text with blanks. Click on each blank, a list of choices will appear. Select the appropriate choice for each blank.
The  Enlightenment,  spanning  the  17th  and  18th  centuries,  was  an  intellectual  movement  in  Europe  that  sought  to  challenge  traditional  doctrines  and  elevate  reason  and  the  scientific  method  as  the  primary    of  knowledge.  Philosophers  like  Voltaire,  Rousseau,  and  Kant  inspired  vigorous  debates  on  liberty,  equality,  and  the    of  government,  contributing  to  the  progressive  ideas  that  precipitated  revolutionary  changes  in  politics  and  society.  This  era  championed  skepticism  toward  monarchist  and  clerical  authority,  advocating  for  political  and  social  structures  informed  by  rational  discourse  and  empirical  evidence.  Notable  advances    from  this  milieu,  including  Diderot’s  ‘Encyclopédie,’  which  aimed  to  consolidate  human  knowledge  and  was  instrumental  in  disseminating  Enlightenment  thought.  The  rippling  effect  of  these  ideals  is  seen  in  pivotal  historical  developments  such  as  the  American  Revolution  and  the  crafting  of  the  United  States  Constitution,  which  drew    upon  Enlightenment  principles.  Often  referred  to  as  the  ‘Age  of  Reason,’  the  Enlightenment  left  a  profound    that  shaped  modern  Western  thought,  embodying  an  enduring  faith  in  the  progress  of  human  civilization  through  rational  inquiry  and  the  pursuit  of  knowledge.  

Result:

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Correct answer: sources

Explanation: The word 'sources' fits grammatically as it is a plural noun that aligns with the context of knowledge acquisition. The phrase 'primary sources of knowledge' is a common collocation, indicating the main origins from which knowledge is derived, thus making it contextually appropriate.

Meaning: 'Sources' refers to the origins or starting points of information or knowledge, such as books, research, or experiences.

Wrong options:

  • reserves: The term 'reserves' typically refers to something kept back or saved, which does not fit the context of knowledge acquisition.
  • portraits: 'Portraits' are representations of individuals, usually in art, and do not relate to the concept of knowledge sources.
  • envoys: 'Envoys' are representatives or messengers, which is unrelated to the context of knowledge.
Correct answer: nature

Explanation: The word 'nature' fits well in the context of discussing the fundamental characteristics or essence of government. It aligns with the philosophical debates mentioned, making it contextually relevant and grammatically correct as a noun.

Meaning: 'Nature' refers to the inherent qualities or characteristics of something, in this case, the essential qualities of government.

Wrong options:

  • aristocracy: 'Aristocracy' refers to a form of government led by the elite, which does not fit the context of discussing the essence of government.
  • posture: 'Posture' typically refers to a physical position or attitude, which is not relevant to the discussion of government.
  • democracy: While 'democracy' relates to a type of government, it does not address the broader concept of the essence or nature of government.
Correct answer: stemmed

Explanation: The verb 'stemmed' is appropriate here as it indicates that notable advances originated from the Enlightenment milieu. It fits grammatically in the past tense and contextually as it describes the source of these advances.

Meaning: 'Stemmed' means to originate or derive from a particular source or cause, indicating that the advances were a result of Enlightenment ideas.

Wrong options:

  • took: 'Took' is a past tense verb that does not convey the idea of originating or deriving, making it less suitable in this context.
  • based: 'Based' suggests a foundation but does not imply the same sense of origin as 'stemmed,' making it contextually less fitting.
  • separated: 'Separated' implies a division or disconnection, which contradicts the idea of advances arising from a common source.
Correct answer: heavily

Explanation: The adverb 'heavily' fits grammatically as it modifies the verb 'drew,' indicating the extent to which Enlightenment principles influenced the crafting of the Constitution. It is contextually appropriate as it conveys a strong reliance on those principles.

Meaning: 'Heavily' means to a great degree or extent, suggesting that Enlightenment principles were a significant influence on the Constitution.

Wrong options:

  • heavy: 'Heavy' is an adjective and does not grammatically fit as it cannot modify the verb 'drew' in this context.
  • heaviness: 'Heaviness' is a noun and does not fit grammatically as it cannot modify the action of drawing.
  • heavier: 'Heavier' is a comparative adjective, which is not suitable here as it does not convey the intended meaning of strong influence.
Correct answer: legacy

Explanation: The noun 'legacy' fits well as it refers to something handed down from the past, which aligns with the profound impact of the Enlightenment on modern thought. It is grammatically correct and contextually relevant as it encapsulates the enduring influence of the Enlightenment.

Meaning: 'Legacy' refers to something that is left behind or passed on, particularly in terms of ideas or cultural impact.

Wrong options:

  • phenomenon: 'Phenomenon' refers to an observable event or fact, which does not capture the idea of an enduring impact as effectively as 'legacy.'
  • fantasy: 'Fantasy' implies an imaginative or unrealistic idea, which does not fit the serious context of the Enlightenment's impact.
  • premise: 'Premise' refers to a foundational idea or assumption, which does not convey the lasting influence that 'legacy' does.

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