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Practice Reading: Fill in the Blanks (Dropdown) ID: #51164 Marshmallow
Instructions ›
Below is a text with blanks. Click on each blank, a list of choices will appear. Select the appropriate choice for each blank.
They  call  it  the  "marshmallow  test."  A  four-  to-six-year-old-child  sits  alone  in  a  room  at  a  table  facing  a  marshmallow  on  a  plate.  The  child  is  told:  "If  you  don't  eat  this    for  15  minutes  you  can  have  both  it  and  a  second  one."  Kids  on  average  wait  for  five  or  six  minutes  before  eating  the  marshmallow.  The    a  child  can    the  temptation  has  been  correlated  with  higher  general  competency  later  in  life.  Now  a  study  shows  that  ability  to  resist  temptation  isn't  strictly  --  it's  aIso  highly  influenced  by  environment.

Result:

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Correct answer: treat

Explanation: The word 'treat' fits grammatically as a noun that refers to something enjoyable or a reward, which aligns with the context of the marshmallow being something desirable for the child. It is the most appropriate choice as it conveys the idea of a special food item that the child is being tempted with.

Meaning: 'Treat' means a special item of food or a reward, often something enjoyable that is not part of regular meals.

Wrong options:

  • fun: 'Fun' is an abstract noun that refers to enjoyment or amusement, but it does not fit as a noun describing the marshmallow itself.
  • joy: 'Joy' is also an abstract noun that refers to a feeling of happiness, which does not describe the marshmallow as a physical item.
  • recipe: 'Recipe' refers to a set of instructions for preparing food, which does not apply to the marshmallow in this context.
Correct answer: longer

Explanation: The word 'longer' is the comparative form of 'long,' which is necessary here to compare the duration a child can wait. It fits grammatically and contextually as it indicates a greater length of time, which is what the sentence is discussing.

Meaning: 'Longer' means a greater duration of time, used here to compare how much time a child can resist temptation.

Wrong options:

  • long: 'Long' is the base form and does not provide the comparative meaning needed in this context.
  • longing: 'Longing' is a noun that refers to a strong desire, which does not fit grammatically or contextually as it does not relate to the duration of waiting.
  • longest: 'Longest' is the superlative form, which is not appropriate here since we are comparing two durations, not indicating the maximum.
Correct answer: resist

Explanation: The verb 'resist' fits grammatically as it indicates the action of holding back from eating the marshmallow. It is contextually appropriate as it describes the child's ability to withstand temptation, which is the focus of the sentence.

Meaning: 'Resist' means to withstand or fight against something, in this case, the temptation to eat the marshmallow.

Wrong options:

  • persist: 'Persist' means to continue firmly in a course of action, but it does not specifically convey the idea of holding back from temptation as 'resist' does.
  • trace: 'Trace' means to follow or outline, which does not relate to the action of waiting or holding back from eating.
  • enlight: 'Enlight' is not a standard English verb; it seems to be a misspelling of 'enlighten,' which means to inform or give knowledge, and does not fit the context.
Correct answer: innate

Explanation: The word 'innate' fits grammatically as an adjective describing the ability to resist temptation. It is contextually relevant as it suggests that this ability is a natural part of a person's character, aligning with the discussion of inherent traits.

Meaning: 'Innate' means existing from birth or natural, indicating that the ability to resist temptation is a fundamental characteristic.

Wrong options:

  • artificial: 'Artificial' means made or produced by human beings rather than occurring naturally, which contradicts the idea of a natural ability.
  • intimate: 'Intimate' refers to close familiarity or friendship, which does not relate to the concept of inherent ability.
  • disguised: 'Disguised' means concealed or hidden, which does not fit the context of describing a natural ability.

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