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Practice Reading: Fill in the Blanks (Dropdown) ID: #51201 Yolk and Sex
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.
When  it  comes  to  lizard  sex,  size  does  matter.  But  not  in  the  way  you  might  think.  Because  in  the  June  4th  online  issue  of  the  journal  Current  Biology,    say  that  for  at  least  one  type  of  lizard,  larger  eggs  are  more  likely  to  make  girls  while  smaller  eggs  yield  boys.  For  many  animals,  the  sex  of  an  individual  is  dictated  solely  by  its  .  But  for  small  alpine  lizards,  gender  isn't  so  cut-and-dried.  The  scientists  had  earlier  found  that  nest  temperature  can    the  sex  of  lizard  hatchlings.  Cooler  nests  turn  out  more  boys—no  matter  what  their  chromosomes  say.  At  the  same  time,  the  researchers  noticed  that  larger  eggs  seemed  to  make  more  .  But  they  wanted  to  put  their  observation  to  the  test.  So  they  took  big  eggs  and  removed  some  yolk—and,  voila,  they  made  males.  Adding  yolk  to  a  little  egg  was  a  recipe  for  a  female.  This  size    might  allow  moms  to  balance  their  babies'  sexes  when  a  chilly  nest  would  otherwise  produce  mostly  sons.  Because  when  it  comes  to  alpine  lizards,  sex    all  comes  down  to  a  practical  yolk.

Result:

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

Explanation: The term 'scientists' fits grammatically as a plural noun that serves as the subject of the sentence, indicating who is making the claim about lizard eggs. It aligns contextually with the scientific nature of the journal mentioned.

Meaning: 'Scientists' refers to individuals who conduct scientific research and studies, particularly in fields like biology.

Wrong options:

  • itemise: 'Itemise' is a verb meaning to list items individually, which does not fit the context of who is making the statement.
  • cyclists: 'Cyclists' refers to people who ride bicycles, which is irrelevant to the context of scientific research on lizards.
  • fineness: 'Fineness' is a noun that refers to the quality of being fine or delicate, which does not relate to the subject of the sentence.
Correct answer: chromosomes

Explanation: The word 'chromosomes' is a plural noun that correctly identifies the genetic structures responsible for determining sex in many animals, fitting both grammatically and contextually.

Meaning: 'Chromosomes' are thread-like structures located in the nucleus of cells that carry genetic information, including sex determination.

Wrong options:

  • soaks: 'Soaks' is a verb that means to immerse in liquid, which does not fit the context of genetic determination.
  • stores: 'Stores' is a noun or verb that refers to places where items are kept or the act of keeping items, which is unrelated to the topic of sex determination.
  • foreclose: 'Foreclose' is a verb meaning to take possession of a property due to failure to pay, which is irrelevant in this biological context.
Correct answer: influence

Explanation: The word 'influence' is a verb that appropriately describes the effect that nest temperature has on the sex of lizard hatchlings, fitting grammatically and contextually.

Meaning: 'Influence' means to have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something.

Wrong options:

  • effluents: 'Effluents' are liquid waste or sewage discharged into a river or the sea, which does not fit the context of temperature affecting sex.
  • constituents: 'Constituents' refers to components or parts of something, which does not relate to the action of affecting or determining sex.
  • residuals: 'Residuals' are amounts remaining after the greater part has been removed, which is not applicable in this context.
Correct answer: daughters

Explanation: The term 'daughters' is a plural noun that fits grammatically as the object of the sentence, indicating the offspring being discussed in relation to egg size.

Meaning: 'Daughters' refers to female offspring, which is relevant to the context of lizard reproduction.

Wrong options:

  • porches: 'Porches' are structures attached to a building, which is irrelevant to the discussion of lizard offspring.
  • engorges: 'Engorges' is a verb meaning to fill with fluid or swell, which does not fit the context of offspring.
  • winegrowers: 'Winegrowers' refers to people who cultivate grapes for winemaking, which is unrelated to the topic of lizard reproduction.
Correct answer: manipulation

Explanation: The word 'manipulation' is a noun that fits grammatically as the subject of the sentence, indicating the action of adjusting egg size to influence sex ratios.

Meaning: 'Manipulation' refers to the act of controlling or influencing something in a skillful manner.

Wrong options:

  • dissipation: 'Dissipation' refers to the act of scattering or wasting, which does not fit the context of controlling offspring sex.
  • replication: 'Replication' means to make a copy of something, which is not relevant to the discussion of egg size and sex determination.
  • constipation: 'Constipation' is a medical condition related to bowel movements, which is entirely unrelated to the topic at hand.
Correct answer: determination

Explanation: The word 'determination' is a noun that fits grammatically as the subject of the sentence, indicating the process by which sex is established in lizards.

Meaning: 'Determination' refers to the process of establishing or deciding something, in this case, the sex of the lizard.

Wrong options:

  • ionization: 'Ionization' refers to the process of converting an atom or molecule into an ion, which is irrelevant in this biological context.
  • administration: 'Administration' refers to the management or organization of something, which does not relate to the biological process of sex determination.
  • fertilization: 'Fertilization' is the process of combining sperm and egg, which is a different concept from the determination of sex.

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