Loading question...
You are in free guest mode. Timed Practice Revision List Attempt History Progress Tracking Create a free account to unlock these tools
Prev Next
Practice Reading: Fill in the Blanks (Dropdown) ID: #50179 Starvation
Instructions ›
Below is a text with blanks. Click on each blank, a list of choices will appear. Select the appropriate choice for each blank.
Over  weeks  and  months,  malnutrition  can  result  in  specific  diseases,  like  anemia  when  people  don't  get  enough  iron  or  beriberi  if  they  don't  get  adequate  thiamine.  A    lack  of  food  for  a  prolonged  period  —  not  enough  calories  of  any  sort  to  keep  up  with  the  body's  energy  needs  —  is  starvation.  The  body's  reserve  resources  are  .  The  result  is  substantial  weight  loss,  wasting  away  of  the  body's  tissues  and  eventually  death.  When  faced  with  starvation,  the  body  fights  back.  The  first  day  without  food  is  a  lot  like  the  overnight  fast  between  dinner  one  night  and  breakfast  the  next  morning.  Energy  levels  are  low  but    up  with  a  morning  meal.  Within  days,  faced  with  nothing  to  eat,  the  body  begins  feeding  on  itself.  Metabolism  slows;  the  body  cannot  regulate  its  temperature;  kidney  function  is  impaired  and  the  immune  system  .  When  the  body  uses  its  reserves  to  provide  basic  energy  needs,  it  can  no  longer  supply  necessary  nutrients  to  vital  organs  and  tissues.  The  heart,  lungs,  ovaries  and  testes  shrink.  Muscles  shrink  and  people  feel  weak.  Body  temperature  drops  and  people  can  feel  chilled.  People  can  become  ,  and  they  become  difficult  to  concentrate.

Result:

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

Explanation: The word 'severe' fits grammatically as it describes the intensity of the lack of food, aligning with the context of malnutrition and starvation. It indicates a serious condition, which is appropriate given the discussion of health consequences.

Meaning: 'Severe' means very great or intense, indicating that the lack of food is critical and has serious implications for health.

Wrong options:

  • distinguishing: 'Distinguishing' refers to identifying differences and does not convey the intensity of the lack of food, making it contextually inappropriate.
  • proper: 'Proper' implies something is correct or suitable, which does not accurately describe the critical nature of the food shortage in this context.
  • distinctive: 'Distinctive' suggests something that is characteristic or unique, which does not apply to the severity of food deprivation.
Correct answer: depleted

Explanation: The term 'depleted' is grammatically correct as it indicates that the body's resources have been used up. Contextually, it aligns with the idea of starvation where the body runs out of reserves, making it the most suitable choice.

Meaning: 'Depleted' means reduced in quantity or exhausted, indicating that the body's resources are significantly diminished due to lack of food.

Wrong options:

  • obsoleted: 'Obsoleted' means rendered obsolete or no longer used, which does not fit the context of the body's resources being used up.
  • pelleted: 'Pelleted' refers to forming into pellets, which is irrelevant in this context and does not relate to the state of the body's resources.
  • deleted: 'Deleted' means removed or erased, which does not accurately describe the process of the body using its reserves.
Correct answer: pick

Explanation: The verb 'pick' fits grammatically as it indicates an increase in energy levels after eating. Contextually, it suggests that energy can be restored with food, making it the most appropriate choice.

Meaning: 'Pick' in this context means to increase or improve, indicating that energy levels rise after having a meal.

Wrong options:

  • feed: 'Feed' implies providing food, which does not fit the grammatical structure of the sentence as it does not indicate a change in energy levels.
  • come: 'Come' does not convey the action of increasing energy levels and is too vague in this context.
  • chill: 'Chill' means to make cold or relax, which is not relevant to the context of energy levels rising.
Correct answer: weakens

Explanation: The word 'weakens' is grammatically correct as it describes the decline in the immune system's effectiveness. Contextually, it aligns with the consequences of starvation, making it the most fitting option.

Meaning: 'Weakens' means to make or become weaker, indicating that the immune system's ability to function is compromised due to lack of nutrition.

Wrong options:

  • deepens: 'Deepens' suggests an increase in depth or intensity, which does not apply to the immune system's condition in this context.
  • deafens: 'Deafens' means to make deaf or unable to hear, which is irrelevant to the immune system and does not fit the context.
  • surpasses: 'Surpasses' means to exceed or go beyond, which does not relate to the decline of the immune system.
Correct answer: irritable

Explanation: The word 'irritable' fits grammatically as it describes a state of being easily annoyed or angered. Contextually, it aligns with the effects of starvation on mood and concentration, making it the most appropriate choice.

Meaning: 'Irritable' means easily annoyed or angered, indicating that people may become more difficult to deal with due to the effects of malnutrition.

Wrong options:

  • commutable: 'Commutable' refers to something that can be exchanged or replaced, which does not fit the context of mood changes due to starvation.
  • indisputable: 'Indisputable' means unable to be challenged or denied, which does not relate to the emotional state described in the context.
  • transportable: 'Transportable' means capable of being transported, which is irrelevant to the emotional effects of starvation.

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

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...