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Practice Reading: Fill in the Blanks (Dropdown) ID: #51202 Sharing
Instructions ›
Below is a text with blanks. Click on each blank, a list of choices will appear. Select the appropriate choice for each blank.
Sharing  is  one  of  the    of  human  :  give  me  a  cookie  and  I'm  more  likely  to  give  you  one  later.  But  our  bonobo  cousins  have  an  odd  variation  on  the  practice.  They  share  with    before  friends.  The  finding  is  in  the  journal  PLoS  ONE.  Researchers  tested  bonobo  sharing  in    involving    of  the  apes.  All  were  born  in  the  wild.  In  the  primary  experiment,  bonobos  were  placed  in  a  cage  with  food,  and  they  could  choose  to  admit  either  a  known  member  of  their  group,  a  stranger,  or  both.  In  51  trials,  most  bonobos  shared  the  feast,  but  they  let  the  stranger  in  first.  Why  choose  an  outsider  over  a  friend?  In  another  experiment,  the    found  bonobos  only  shared  when  doing  so  led  to  a  social  interaction.  Giving  up  some  food  to  strangers  lets  these  apes  expand  their  social  network.  This  behavior  may  have  evolved  to  promote  social  tolerance,  in  contrast  with  chimps  sometimes  deadly  aggression  against  strangers.  Which  means  that  even  when  food  is  offered,  there's  still  no  such  thing  as  a  free  lunch.

Result:

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Correct answer: hallmarks

Explanation: The term 'hallmarks' refers to distinguishing characteristics or traits, which fits grammatically as a noun that complements 'one of the' in the sentence. It aligns contextually with the idea of sharing being a notable feature of human behavior.

Meaning: 'Hallmarks' means distinctive features or traits that signify something's quality or nature, in this case, sharing as a key trait of humanity.

Wrong options:

  • nauseous: 'Nauseous' describes a feeling of sickness and does not fit grammatically or contextually as it is an adjective, not a noun.
  • enormous: 'Enormous' is an adjective meaning very large, which does not fit as it does not describe a characteristic of sharing.
  • notice: 'Notice' is a noun referring to an announcement or warning, which does not align with the context of describing a trait.
Correct answer: behaviors

Explanation: The word 'behaviors' is a plural noun that fits grammatically after 'human,' indicating the various actions or conduct of humans. It is contextually appropriate as it relates to the act of sharing.

Meaning: 'Behaviors' refers to the actions or reactions of individuals or groups, particularly in response to external stimuli, in this case, sharing.

Wrong options:

  • manners: 'Manners' refers to social conduct or etiquette, which is too narrow and does not encompass the broader concept of sharing as a behavior.
  • expropriators: 'Expropriators' refers to those who take property for public use, which is unrelated to the context of sharing and does not fit grammatically.
  • tabors: 'Tabors' refers to a type of drum, which is irrelevant in this context and does not fit grammatically.
Correct answer: strangers

Explanation: The word 'strangers' is a plural noun that fits grammatically and contextually, as it indicates individuals whom the bonobos do not know, aligning with the surprising behavior of sharing with them first.

Meaning: 'Strangers' refers to people or beings that one does not know, which is relevant to the context of bonobos sharing food.

Wrong options:

  • whalers: 'Whalers' refers to those who hunt whales, which is unrelated to the context of sharing and does not fit grammatically.
  • azaleas: 'Azaleas' are flowering plants, which are irrelevant in this context and do not fit grammatically.
  • hazers: 'Hazers' refers to those who intimidate or bully, which does not fit the context of sharing and is not relevant.
Correct answer: experiment

Explanation: The word 'experiment' is a noun that fits grammatically and contextually, as it describes the scientific study conducted to test bonobo sharing behavior.

Meaning: 'Experiment' refers to a scientific procedure undertaken to make a discovery or test a hypothesis, which is relevant to the context of the study.

Wrong options:

  • carefullest: 'Carefullest' is a superlative form of 'careful,' which does not fit grammatically as it does not describe a type of study.
  • deliberate: 'Deliberate' is an adjective meaning intentional, which does not fit grammatically as it does not describe a noun in this context.
  • deficit: 'Deficit' refers to a lack or shortfall, which is unrelated to the context of conducting a study.
Correct answer: fourteen

Explanation: The word 'fourteen' is a numeral that fits grammatically as it quantifies the number of apes involved in the experiment, aligning with the context of the study.

Meaning: 'Fourteen' is the number 14, indicating the quantity of bonobos that participated in the experiment.

Wrong options:

  • theophylline: 'Theophylline' is a drug used in treating respiratory diseases, which is irrelevant in this context and does not fit grammatically.
  • wolverine: 'Wolverine' refers to a type of animal, which does not fit the context of counting apes in the experiment.
  • careen: 'Careen' means to tilt or lean, which is unrelated to the context of counting participants.
Correct answer: scientists

Explanation: The word 'scientists' is a plural noun that fits grammatically and contextually, as it refers to the researchers conducting the study on bonobo sharing behavior.

Meaning: 'Scientists' are individuals who conduct scientific research and experiments, relevant to the context of the study being discussed.

Wrong options:

  • mileages: 'Mileages' refers to the distance traveled or the efficiency of fuel consumption, which is irrelevant in this context and does not fit grammatically.
  • hybridise: 'Hybridise' is a verb meaning to mix different species, which does not fit grammatically or contextually in this sentence.
  • semifinalists: 'Semifinalists' refers to participants in a competition who reach the semifinals, which is unrelated to the context of scientific research.

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