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Practice Reading: Fill in the Blanks (Dropdown) ID: #51222 Microbe
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.
You've  probably  noticed  that    t-shirts  stink  more  after  a  workout,  compared  to  cotton.  But  hey—it's  not  the    fault.  It's  the  microbes  that  hang  out  on  synthetics,  that  create  that    stench.  That's    to  a  study  in  the  journal  Applied  and  Environmental  Microbiology.  Twenty-six  volunteers—half  men,  half  women—worked  out  on  spinning  bikes  for  an  hour.  And  they  did  so  outfitted  with  shirts  of  cotton,  ,  or  a  cotton/synthetic  blend.  Then  researchers  stuffed  the  sweaty  shirts  into  plastic  bags.  The  next  day,  a  trained  panel  sniffed  them,  rating  their  funk.  Unlucky  job.  Because  yes—the  polyester  shirts  were  indeed  more  musty,  sour,  and  ammonia-like  than  the  cotton.  DNA  analysis  revealed  that  Micrococcus  bacteria  were  to  blame.  They  aren't  actually  all  that  common  in  the  armpit  itself.  And  they  don't  flock  to  cotton.  But  researchers  say  they  thrive  on  the  open-air  lattice  of  synthetic  fibers—where  they  sit  chomping  on  the  long-chain  fatty  acids  in  our  sweat,  turning  them  into  shorter,  stinkier  molecules.  These  findings  might  just  explain  one  of  the  most  vexing  questions  of  adolescence:  why  do  stinky  shirts  smell  so  unpleasantly  different  from  the  body  odor  in  the  armpits  themselves?  Could  be  because  your  favorite  shirt  has  a  microbiome  of  its  own.

Result:

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

Explanation: The word 'synthetic' fits grammatically as an adjective describing the type of t-shirts, aligning with the context of discussing materials. It indicates that these t-shirts are made from man-made fibers, which is relevant to the topic of odor after workouts.

Meaning: 'Synthetic' refers to materials that are made through chemical processes rather than being derived from natural sources, such as cotton.

Wrong options:

  • polemic: 'Polemic' refers to a strong verbal or written attack on someone or something, which does not relate to the context of t-shirt materials.
  • oligopolistic: 'Oligopolistic' describes a market structure dominated by a small number of firms, which is irrelevant to the discussion of t-shirt materials.
  • hydrophilic: 'Hydrophilic' means having a tendency to mix with or be dissolved in water, which does not accurately describe the type of t-shirts being discussed.
Correct answer: fabric's

Explanation: The possessive form 'fabric's' correctly indicates that the fault lies with the material of the t-shirts, fitting grammatically and contextually as it refers to the characteristics of the fabric itself.

Meaning: 'Fabric's' indicates something that belongs to or is characteristic of the fabric, in this case, the t-shirt material.

Wrong options:

  • piss: 'Piss' is a vulgar term for urine and does not fit the context of discussing t-shirt materials or their properties.
  • consists: 'Consists' is a verb that does not fit grammatically in this context, as it does not indicate possession or characteristics of the fabric.
  • snares: 'Snares' refers to traps or devices for capturing animals, which is unrelated to the topic of t-shirt materials.
Correct answer: characteristic

Explanation: The word 'characteristic' fits grammatically as a noun that describes a distinguishing feature or quality, aligning well with the context of discussing the specific odor associated with synthetic t-shirts.

Meaning: 'Characteristic' refers to a feature or quality that is typical of a person, thing, or group, in this case, the specific smell of the t-shirts.

Wrong options:

  • alphabetic: 'Alphabetic' relates to the letters of the alphabet and does not pertain to the context of odor or t-shirt properties.
  • physic: 'Physic' refers to the science of nature or medicine, which is irrelevant to the discussion of t-shirt odors.
  • paramedic: 'Paramedic' refers to a medical professional, which does not fit the context of discussing characteristics of t-shirts.
Correct answer: according

Explanation: The word 'according' fits grammatically as a preposition that introduces a source or reference, making sense in the context of attributing information to a study.

Meaning: 'According' means as stated by or in agreement with, indicating that the following information is based on the referenced study.

Wrong options:

  • overhauling: 'Overhauling' is a verb that means to take apart and examine or repair, which does not fit the context of referencing a study.
  • longshoremen: 'Longshoremen' refers to workers who load and unload ships, which is unrelated to the context of the study being discussed.
  • sporting: 'Sporting' is an adjective that describes something related to sports, which does not fit the context of citing a study.
Correct answer: polyester

Explanation: The word 'polyester' fits grammatically as a noun that describes a type of fabric, aligning with the context of comparing different materials used in shirts.

Meaning: 'Polyester' is a synthetic fabric commonly used in clothing, known for its durability and resistance to wrinkles.

Wrong options:

  • expositor: 'Expositor' refers to someone who explains or interprets, which does not fit the context of discussing types of fabric.
  • critter: 'Critter' is an informal term for a creature or animal, which is irrelevant to the discussion of t-shirt materials.
  • architecture: 'Architecture' refers to the art or practice of designing buildings, which does not relate to the context of t-shirt fabrics.

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