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Practice Reading: Fill in the Blanks (Dropdown) ID: #51198 Neutrinos
Instructions ›
Below is a text with blanks. Click on each blank, a list of choices will appear. Select the appropriate choice for each blank.
In  June  1998,  an  international  team  of  Japanese  and  US  physicists  unveiled  strong  evidence  that  elusive  subatomic  particles  known  as  neutrinos  have  mass.  These  findings  run    to  the  standard  model  of  particle  physics—the  basic  theory  about  the  structure  of  matter—which  holds  that  these  electrically  neutral,  weakly  interacting  particles  have  no  mass.  The  discovery  means  that  existing  theoretical  models  of  matter  must  now  be    to  include  neutrinos  with  mass.  Neutrinos  occur  in  three  states:  electron,  muon,  and  tau,  with  the  names  signifying  what  is  produced  when  a  neutrino  collides  with  another  particle.    do  not  see  the  neutrinos  themselves,  but  can  detect  the  creation  of  electrons  and  muons  from  faint  flashes  of  light  following  a  particle  collision.  The  physicists  used  the  giant  Super-Kamiokande—the  world's  biggest  neutrino  detector  buried  deep  underground  in  Mozumi,  Japan.  In  the  experiment,    in  a  50,000-ton  tank  of  purified  water,  neutrinos  created  when  cosmic  rays  bombard  Earth's  upper  atmosphere  were  counted  relative  to  the  number  expected  to  penetrate  the  cavern.  The  experimenters  found  that  the  number  of  electron-neutrinos  detected  was  relatively  constant  with  theorized  totals,  while  the  number  of  muon-neutrinos  was  significantly  lower.  This  indicated  that  they  were  disappearing  into  another  state,  or  "flavor,"  such  as  an  undetected  tau-neutrino,  or  possibly  another  type.

Result:

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Correct answer: counter

Explanation: The word 'counter' fits grammatically as it indicates opposition, aligning with the context of the findings contradicting the standard model of particle physics. It is used correctly in the phrase 'run counter to,' which means to go against or oppose something.

Meaning: 'Counter' means to oppose or contradict, suggesting that the findings challenge the established theories in particle physics.

Wrong options:

  • away: 'Away' implies distance or separation, which does not convey opposition and does not fit the context of contradicting a theory.
  • towards: 'Towards' suggests direction or movement in favor of something, which is the opposite of what is intended in this context.
  • forth: 'Forth' indicates movement outward or forward, which does not relate to the idea of contradicting established scientific models.
Correct answer: revised

Explanation: The term 'revised' is appropriate here as it indicates that existing models need to be updated or changed in light of new evidence. This aligns with the context of adapting theories to include new findings about neutrinos having mass.

Meaning: 'Revised' means to change or alter something, particularly in order to improve it or make it more accurate, which is necessary for the theoretical models of matter.

Wrong options:

  • denied: 'Denied' means to refuse or reject, which does not fit the context of updating theories based on new evidence.
  • identified: 'Identified' means to recognize or establish, which does not imply any change or update to the existing models.
  • celebrated: 'Celebrated' means to honor or commemorate, which is unrelated to the need for theoretical models to change.
Correct answer: Observers

Explanation: The word 'Observers' fits well as it refers to those who are watching or monitoring the experiment. It is grammatically correct and contextually appropriate, as it describes the role of individuals who detect the effects of neutrinos rather than the particles themselves.

Meaning: 'Observers' are individuals who watch or monitor an event, in this case, the detection of neutrinos indirectly through the creation of other particles.

Wrong options:

  • Respondents: 'Respondents' typically refers to individuals who reply to questions or surveys, which does not fit the context of observing scientific phenomena.
  • Electrons: 'Electrons' are subatomic particles themselves and do not refer to individuals observing the experiment, making it contextually incorrect.
  • Muons: 'Muons' are also subatomic particles and do not represent individuals observing the experiment, thus failing to fit the context.
Correct answer: submerged

Explanation: The word 'submerged' is grammatically correct and contextually appropriate, indicating that the neutrinos were placed underwater in the tank. This aligns with the description of the experimental setup where neutrinos are detected in a tank of water.

Meaning: 'Submerged' means to be placed under water or covered by water, which accurately describes the neutrinos being in the tank during the experiment.

Wrong options:

  • destroyed: 'Destroyed' means to be ruined or eliminated, which does not fit the context of neutrinos being present in the experiment.
  • concealed: 'Concealed' means hidden or kept out of sight, which does not accurately describe the neutrinos' presence in the experiment as they are being detected.
  • revealed: 'Revealed' means to make something known or visible, which is the opposite of what is intended in this context where neutrinos are being detected rather than shown.

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