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Practice Reading: Fill in the Blanks (Dropdown) ID: #49504 Elevated Front Door
Instructions ›
Below is a text with blanks. Click on each blank, a list of choices will appear. Select the appropriate choice for each blank.
Years  ago  on  a  trip  to  Newfoundland,  retired  traveler  Jackie  Jansen  began  documenting  a  strangely  persistent  phenomenon:  front  doors    high  above  the  ground.  Odder  still:  these  elevated  entries  had  no  stairs  to  speak  of,  leaving  her  to  wonder  why.  It  turns  out  there  are  competing  theories  about  these  unusual  portals.  Locals  told  Jansen  and  her  husband  (presumably  tongue  in  cheek)  that  such  “mother-in-law  doors”  were  for  ushering  out    in-laws,  but  that’s  not  the  only  tall  tale  going  around  about  these  quirky  designs.  Some  have  speculated  that  these  seemingly  useless  secondary  doors  are  a  product  of  building  regulations  —  when  Newfoundland  joined  Canada  in  the  late  1940s,  they  suddenly  had  to    new  fire  regulations  that  required  two  modes  of  egress  for  houses.  Following  the  letter  of  the  law,  the  theory  goes,  a  door  was  added,  but  no  stairs,  since  technically  that  was  not  included  in  the  legal  .

Result:

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Correct answer: raised

Explanation: The word 'raised' fits grammatically as it describes the state of the front doors being elevated above the ground. It aligns with the context of the sentence, which discusses the unusual height of the doors, making it the most suitable choice.

Meaning: In this context, 'raised' means elevated or positioned higher than the normal ground level, indicating that the doors are not at the typical height one would expect.

Wrong options:

  • visited: The word 'visited' implies an action of going to see someone or something, which does not relate to the physical state of the doors and is grammatically incorrect here.
  • painted: 'Painted' refers to the application of color to a surface, which does not describe the position of the doors and is irrelevant in this context.
  • lowered: 'Lowered' suggests a decrease in height, which contradicts the description of the doors being high above the ground, making it an incorrect choice.
Correct answer: unwanted

Explanation: The term 'unwanted' appropriately describes the in-laws being referred to in a humorous context, fitting both grammatically and contextually within the sentence about 'mother-in-law doors.'

Meaning: 'Unwanted' means not desired or not welcome, which humorously suggests that these doors are used to usher out in-laws who are not wanted.

Wrong options:

  • unbiased: 'Unbiased' means impartial or fair, which does not relate to the context of in-laws and is grammatically incorrect in this setting.
  • underlined: 'Underlined' refers to text that is emphasized by a line beneath it, which is irrelevant to the context of in-laws and does not fit grammatically.
  • united: 'United' implies being joined together, which does not apply to the context of in-laws being ushered out and is not a suitable choice.
Correct answer: match

Explanation: The word 'match' fits grammatically as it indicates the need to comply with new fire regulations. It aligns contextually with the discussion of building codes and requirements.

Meaning: In this context, 'match' means to conform or comply with the new regulations, indicating that the houses had to meet specific safety standards.

Wrong options:

  • illuminate: 'Illuminate' means to light up or clarify, which does not relate to the context of building regulations and is grammatically incorrect here.
  • appreciate: 'Appreciate' means to recognize the value of something, which does not fit the context of compliance with regulations and is irrelevant in this case.
  • disobey: 'Disobey' means to not follow rules or laws, which contradicts the context of needing to comply with regulations, making it an incorrect choice.
Correct answer: requirement

Explanation: The word 'requirement' fits grammatically as it refers to a necessary condition or rule that must be followed. It aligns contextually with the discussion of legal obligations regarding building codes.

Meaning: In this context, 'requirement' means a condition that must be met, specifically referring to the legal stipulations for building safety.

Wrong options:

  • religion: 'Religion' refers to a system of faith and worship, which is irrelevant to the context of building regulations and does not fit grammatically.
  • paces: 'Paces' refers to steps or distances, which does not relate to legal obligations and is not suitable in this context.
  • manager: 'Manager' refers to a person responsible for overseeing operations, which does not apply to the context of legal requirements and is grammatically incorrect.

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