Loading question...
You are in free guest mode. Timed Practice Revision List Attempt History Progress Tracking Create a free account to unlock these tools
Back to Questions
Prev Next
Practice Reading: Fill in the Blanks (Dropdown) ID: #49905 Friday the 13th
Instructions ›
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.
It's  Friday  the  13th.  "You've  gotta  ask    a  question:  'Do  I  feel  lucky?'"  If  you  don't,  you  could  be    from  triskaidekaphobia.  That's  a  fear  of  the  number  13.  Napoleon,  Herbert  Hoover  and  FDR  are  well-documented  triskaidekaphobics.  But  why  do  folks  think  13  is  unlucky?    when  it  falls  on  a  Friday,  as  it  will  three  times  this  year?  The  University  of  Delaware's  Thomas  Fernsler  is  known  as  Dr.  13.  He's  an  expert  on  the  number's  bad  reputation,  which  may  date  back  to  biblical  times.  After  all,  the  13th  guest  at  the  Last  Supper  was  Judas.  And  you  know  how  that  worked  out  for  Jesus,  who  was  crucified  on  a  Friday.  Other  factoids  from  Fernsler:  The  first  person  to  die  in  a  car  accident  was  killed  in  New  York  City  on  September  the  13th  in  1899,    that  was  a  .  And  the  ill-fated  flight  of  Apollo  13    at  the  13th  minute  of  the  13th  hour  Central  Standard  Time  on  April  11th,  1970.  And  the  numerals  in  the  date  4/11/70  add  up  to  13!  As  long  as  you  don't  include  the  19  in  1970.  Hey,  sometimes  superstition  can  be  hard  work.  Today,  some  tall  buildings  lack  a  13th  floor.  Well,  they  have  a  13th  floor,  but  they  call  it  the  14th  floor.  Because  the  purveyors  of  bad  luck  are  apparently  easily  fooled.  Meanwhile,  over  in  France,  panicky  Parisian  party-throwers  can  even  hire  a  quatorziéme,  a  professional  14th  guest.  Like  Judas,  Mark  Twain  was  allegedly  once  poised  to  be  the  13th  guest  at  a  dinner  party.  A  superstitious  friend  warned  the  very  rational  Twain  not  to  go.  But  Twain  went.  "It  was  bad  luck,"  he  later  remarked.  "They  only  had  food  for  12."

Result:

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

Explanation: The word 'yourself' is a reflexive pronoun that correctly refers back to the subject 'you,' making it grammatically and contextually appropriate for the sentence, which is asking the reader to reflect on their own feelings.

Meaning: 'Yourself' is used to refer to the person being addressed, emphasizing personal introspection in the question posed.

Wrong options:

  • steppes: 'Steppes' refers to large areas of flat grassland, which is irrelevant in this context as it does not relate to asking a question about one's feelings.
  • concierge: 'Concierge' is a person who assists guests in a hotel, which does not fit the context of self-reflection in the question.
  • sixpence: 'Sixpence' is a historical coin, and it does not relate to the act of questioning oneself, making it contextually inappropriate.
Correct answer: suffering

Explanation: The word 'suffering' fits grammatically as a gerund that indicates a state of experiencing distress, which aligns with the context of having a phobia, making it the correct choice.

Meaning: 'Suffering' means experiencing pain or distress, particularly in relation to the fear of the number 13.

Wrong options:

  • contacting: 'Contacting' implies reaching out to someone, which does not relate to experiencing a fear or phobia.
  • resurfacing: 'Resurfacing' means coming back to the surface, which is unrelated to the context of fear and does not fit grammatically.
  • gravelling: 'Gravelling' refers to covering with gravel, which is irrelevant and does not convey any meaning related to fear or phobia.
Correct answer: Particularly

Explanation: The word 'particularly' serves as an adverb that emphasizes the specific condition of Friday the 13th, fitting well grammatically and contextually in the sentence.

Meaning: 'Particularly' means especially or specifically, highlighting the significance of the day in relation to the superstition.

Wrong options:

  • Frivolously: 'Frivolously' means in a carefree or superficial manner, which does not match the serious tone of discussing superstition.
  • Timorously: 'Timorously' means in a fearful or timid manner, which does not fit the context of explaining why 13 is considered unlucky.
  • Magnificently: 'Magnificently' means in a grand or impressive way, which is not relevant to the context of discussing the day’s superstition.
Correct answer: although

Explanation: The word 'although' is a conjunction that introduces a contrast, fitting grammatically and contextually to connect the two clauses about the date and the event.

Meaning: 'Although' is used to indicate a contrast or exception, suggesting that despite the event occurring on the 13th, it was a Wednesday.

Wrong options:

  • show: 'Show' is a verb that does not fit grammatically in this context as it does not connect the two clauses appropriately.
  • slow: 'Slow' is an adjective that does not provide a logical connection between the two ideas presented in the sentence.
  • forego: 'Forego' means to decide not to do something, which does not fit the context of contrasting the date with the event.
Correct answer: Wednesday

Explanation: The word 'Wednesday' is a noun that correctly identifies a day of the week, fitting grammatically and contextually as it provides specific information about the date mentioned.

Meaning: 'Wednesday' is the name of the day that follows Tuesday and precedes Thursday, relevant in the context of discussing the date of the accident.

Wrong options:

  • Wimpy: 'Wimpy' is an adjective describing weakness, which does not relate to the context of a day of the week.
  • Severely: 'Severely' is an adverb that describes intensity, but it does not fit as a noun to identify a day.
  • Nifty: 'Nifty' is an adjective meaning clever or stylish, which is irrelevant in the context of naming a day.
Correct answer: launched

Explanation: The word 'launched' is a verb that correctly describes the action of starting a space mission, fitting grammatically and contextually in the sentence about Apollo 13.

Meaning: 'Launched' means to set a spacecraft into motion, which is relevant to the context of discussing the Apollo 13 mission.

Wrong options:

  • reenforced: 'Reenforced' means to strengthen or support, which does not fit the context of initiating a launch.
  • permafrost: 'Permafrost' refers to permanently frozen ground, which is unrelated to the context of a space mission.
  • debouched: 'Debouched' means to emerge from a confined space, which does not apply to the context of launching a spacecraft.

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
PoS Classification

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...