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Practice Reading: Fill in the Blanks (Dropdown) ID: #51161 Democracy 2
Instructions ›
Below is a text with blanks. Click on each blank, a list of choices will appear. Select the appropriate choice for each blank.
Democracy  is  a  system  of  government  in  which  laws,  policies,  leadership,  and  major    of  a  state  or  other  polity  are  directly  or  indirectly  decided  by  the  'people',  a  group  historically  constituted  by  only  a  minority  of  the  population  (e.g.,  all  free  adult  males  in  ancient  Athens  or  all  sufficiently  propertied  adult  males  in  19th-century  Britain)  but  generally  understood    the  mid-20th  century  to  include  all  (or  nearly  all)  adult  citizens.  By  and  large,  states  with  democratic  governments  prevent  rule  by  autocrats,    fundamental  individual  rights,  allow    a  relatively  high  level  of  political  equality,  and  rarely  make  war  on  each  other.  As  compared  with  nondemocratic  states,  they  also  better  foster  human  development  as    by  indicators  such  as  health  and  education,  provide  more  prosperity  for  their  citizens,  and  ensure  a    range  of  personal  freedoms.

Result:

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

Explanation: The term 'undertakings' fits grammatically as a plural noun that refers to significant projects or commitments made by a state, aligning contextually with the other elements of governance mentioned in the sentence.

Meaning: 'Undertakings' means significant tasks or projects that are initiated or carried out, particularly in the context of governance and policy-making.

Wrong options:

  • vicissitudes: 'Vicissitudes' refers to changes or variations, often in circumstances, which does not fit the context of governance as it implies unpredictability rather than structured decision-making.
  • populations: 'Populations' refers to groups of people, which does not align with the context of governance where specific actions or policies are being discussed.
  • landscapes: 'Landscapes' typically refers to physical geography or scenery, which is unrelated to the governance context of laws and policies.
Correct answer: since

Explanation: The word 'since' indicates a starting point in time, which is appropriate here to show that the inclusion of all adult citizens in democracy has been understood from the mid-20th century onwards, fitting grammatically and contextually.

Meaning: 'Since' means from a particular time in the past until now, indicating the ongoing relevance of the statement about democratic inclusion.

Wrong options:

  • within: 'Within' suggests being inside a certain limit or boundary, which does not convey the temporal aspect needed in this context.
  • by: 'By' indicates a deadline or a method, which does not fit the context of a time period starting from the mid-20th century.
  • until: 'Until' implies a stopping point, which contradicts the ongoing nature of the inclusion of citizens in democracy.
Correct answer: guarantee

Explanation: The verb 'guarantee' fits grammatically as it indicates a promise or assurance, which aligns with the context of democratic governments ensuring rights for individuals.

Meaning: 'Guarantee' means to provide a formal assurance or promise that something will happen, in this case, the protection of individual rights.

Wrong options:

  • envision: 'Envision' means to imagine or visualize, which does not fit the context of a government action or assurance.
  • engage: 'Engage' implies involvement or participation, which does not convey the sense of assurance needed in this context.
  • exempt: 'Exempt' means to free from an obligation, which is contrary to the idea of ensuring rights.
Correct answer: for

Explanation: The preposition 'for' fits grammatically and contextually as it indicates purpose or benefit, aligning with the idea of providing political equality.

Meaning: 'For' indicates the purpose of allowing a high level of political equality, suggesting that this is what the democratic states aim to achieve.

Wrong options:

  • upon: 'Upon' suggests a condition or immediate action, which does not fit the context of providing a level of equality.
  • about: 'About' indicates a topic or subject, which does not convey the intended meaning of purpose in this context.
  • with: 'With' implies accompaniment or association, which does not accurately express the intended purpose of political equality.
Correct answer: measured

Explanation: The word 'measured' fits grammatically as a past participle that describes how human development is assessed, aligning with the context of using indicators for evaluation.

Meaning: 'Measured' means assessed or evaluated, particularly in terms of quantifiable indicators like health and education.

Wrong options:

  • anticipated: 'Anticipated' means expected or predicted, which does not fit the context of assessing development.
  • excluded: 'Excluded' means left out, which contradicts the idea of including indicators in the assessment of human development.
  • composed: 'Composed' means made up of, which does not fit the context of evaluating or assessing development.
Correct answer: broader

Explanation: The adjective 'broader' fits grammatically as it describes a wider range of freedoms, aligning contextually with the comparative nature of the sentence regarding personal freedoms in democratic states.

Meaning: 'Broader' means wider or more extensive, indicating that democratic states provide a greater variety of personal freedoms.

Wrong options:

  • numerous: 'Numerous' means many, which does not convey the idea of range or extent needed in this context.
  • few: 'Few' implies a small number, which is contrary to the idea of providing a wide range of freedoms.
  • limited: 'Limited' suggests restrictions, which contradicts the notion of offering a broader range of freedoms.

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