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Practice Reading: Fill in the Blanks (Dropdown) ID: #51227 Most Plants
Instructions ›
Below is a text with blanks. Click on each blank, a list of choices will appear. Select the appropriate choice for each blank.
Most  plants  capture  .  And  the  results  are  usually  green.  Because  in  photosynthesis,  plant  chlorophyll  uses    of  blue  and  our  sun's  abundant  red,  and    green.  But  what  if—as  many  sci-fi  scenarios  suggest—there's  an  Earth-like  planet  with  multiple  suns?  Researchers  at  England's  University  of  Saint  Andrews  say  that  photosynthetic  life  on  such  a  planet  might  end  up  as  a  drab  black  or  gray.  Or  even  with  a  high  SPF.  A  quarter  of  all  stars  like  our  sun  actually  exist  in  multi-star  systems.  Plants  on  a  planet  with  two  sunlike  stars  could  need  protection  against  too  much  radiation—they  might    their  own  UV-blocking  sunscreens.  Or  a  planet  with  two  stars  may  have  one  sunlike  star,  along  with  a  red  dwarf  star  that's  also    in  multi-star  systems.  Any  photosynthetic  life  would  be  adapted  to  take    of  the  available  light  waves.  Plants  that  relied  at  times  mostly  on  the  dim  red  dwarf  might  need  light  from  all  across  the  visible  spectrum.

Result:

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

Explanation: The word 'sunlight' fits grammatically as a noun that describes the type of energy plants capture for photosynthesis. It is contextually relevant as it directly relates to the process of photosynthesis, which is the main topic of the sentence.

Meaning: 'Sunlight' refers to the light and energy emitted by the sun, which is essential for the process of photosynthesis in plants.

Wrong options:

  • preys: The term 'preys' refers to animals hunted for food, which does not relate to the energy plants capture, making it contextually irrelevant.
  • manure: 'Manure' is organic matter used as fertilizer, which does not fit the context of energy capture in plants.
  • sulphite: 'Sulphite' is a chemical compound and does not relate to the process of photosynthesis or energy capture.
Correct answer: wavelengths

Explanation: The word 'wavelengths' is appropriate as it refers to the different lengths of light waves that chlorophyll absorbs during photosynthesis. This fits both grammatically and contextually, as it directly relates to the scientific explanation of how plants utilize light.

Meaning: 'Wavelengths' are the distances between successive peaks of a wave, in this case, referring to the specific light waves that plants use for photosynthesis.

Wrong options:

  • efficiencies: 'Efficiencies' refers to the effectiveness of a process, which does not fit the context of light absorption in photosynthesis.
  • colors: While 'colors' could relate to light, it is too vague and does not specifically address the scientific aspect of light absorption as 'wavelengths' does.
  • brightness: 'Brightness' refers to the intensity of light, which does not accurately describe the specific aspect of light that chlorophyll uses.
Correct answer: reflects

Explanation: The word 'reflects' is grammatically correct as it describes the action of chlorophyll in relation to green light. Contextually, it explains why plants appear green, as they do not absorb green wavelengths but instead reflect them.

Meaning: 'Reflects' means to throw back light or heat without absorbing it, which in this case explains why plants look green due to the reflection of green light.

Wrong options:

  • undresses: 'Undresses' is a verb that implies removing clothing, which is completely unrelated to the context of light and photosynthesis.
  • prevents: 'Prevents' suggests stopping something from happening, which does not accurately describe the action of chlorophyll regarding green light.
  • undoes: 'Undoes' implies reversing an action, which does not fit the context of how chlorophyll interacts with light.
Correct answer: evolve

Explanation: The word 'evolve' fits grammatically as a verb indicating a process of development or adaptation. Contextually, it suggests that plants may develop new traits to survive in a different environment with multiple suns.

Meaning: 'Evolve' means to develop gradually, especially from a simple to a more complex form, which in this context refers to plants adapting to their environment.

Wrong options:

  • revolve: 'Revolve' means to move in a circular orbit, which does not fit the context of adaptation or change in plants.
  • graft: 'Graft' refers to a method of plant propagation, which is not relevant to the idea of developing new traits for survival.
  • abbreviate: 'Abbreviate' means to shorten something, which does not relate to the concept of adaptation in plants.
Correct answer: common

Explanation: The word 'common' is appropriate as it describes the frequency of occurrence of the red dwarf star in multi-star systems. It fits grammatically and contextually, indicating that such stars are frequently found alongside sunlike stars.

Meaning: 'Common' means occurring often or frequently, which in this context refers to the prevalence of red dwarf stars in multi-star systems.

Wrong options:

  • rare: 'Rare' means infrequently occurring, which contradicts the context of the sentence that states these stars are often found.
  • sparse: 'Sparse' implies a thinly dispersed or scattered presence, which does not accurately convey the idea of frequency in this context.
  • alike: 'Alike' means similar or comparable, which does not fit the context of describing the occurrence of stars.
Correct answer: advantage

Explanation: The word 'advantage' fits grammatically as a noun indicating a beneficial factor. Contextually, it suggests that photosynthetic life would benefit from utilizing the available light waves effectively.

Meaning: 'Advantage' refers to a condition or circumstance that puts one in a favorable or superior position, which in this case relates to the ability of life forms to utilize light for photosynthesis.

Wrong options:

  • revenge: 'Revenge' refers to the act of retaliating against someone, which is completely unrelated to the context of light utilization in photosynthesis.
  • form: 'Form' is a noun that refers to the shape or structure of something, which does not fit the context of taking advantage of light waves.
  • use: 'Use' is a verb that implies employing something for a purpose, but it does not convey the same sense of benefit as 'advantage' does.

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