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Practice Reading: Fill in the Blanks (Dropdown) ID: #51240 Modern Humans
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.
Modern  humans  are  masters  of  multitasking.  We  eat  while  driving,  watch  TV  while  ,  and  of  course  talk  on  our  cell  phones  while  doing,  well,  .  How  do  we  do  it?  A  study  in  the  July  16th  issue  of  Neuron  suggests  that  though  we  can  train  our  brains  to  work  faster  as  we  juggle,  we  never    manage  to  do  more  than  one  thing  at  a  time.  Our  brains  aren't  really  built  to  handle  the  sort  of    processing  we  think  we're  capable  of.  The  good  news  is:  studies  have  shown  that  extensive  training  can  make  us  better  at  doing  two  things  at  once.  But  how?  One  theory  is  that  with  lots  of    some  routines  become  "automatic."  And  if  we  don't  need  to  run  every  little  thing  past  the  part  of  the  brain  that  spends  time    about  stuff,  we  can  multitask  just  fine.  But  this  new  study  finds  that  that's  not  the  way  it  works.  Turns  out  that  multitaskers  still  consult  the  prefrontal  cortex,  but  training  gets  the  "Thinking  Brain"  to  think  a  little  faster.  So  we're  switching  tasks  quickly  enough  to  appear  to  be  doing  them  simultaneously.  Which  is  still  nothing  to  shake  a  stick  and  sneeze  at.

Result:

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

Explanation: The word 'studying' fits grammatically as it is a gerund that serves as the object of the preposition 'while,' indicating an action occurring simultaneously with watching TV. Contextually, it aligns with the theme of multitasking, as studying is a common activity that can be done alongside watching TV.

Meaning: 'Studying' refers to the act of learning or reviewing material, typically for educational purposes.

Wrong options:

  • volleying: 'Volleying' refers to hitting a ball back and forth, which does not fit the context of multitasking while watching TV.
  • couriering: 'Couriering' means delivering messages or packages, which is not a typical activity associated with watching TV.
  • lobbying: 'Lobbying' involves attempting to influence decisions made by officials, which is unrelated to the context of casual multitasking.
Correct answer: everything

Explanation: The word 'everything' is a broad term that encompasses all activities, fitting perfectly in the context of multitasking. It logically follows the phrase 'talk on our cell phones while doing,' indicating that people can multitask with various activities.

Meaning: 'Everything' means all things or all activities, emphasizing the extent of multitasking capabilities.

Wrong options:

  • antonym: 'Antonym' refers to a word that means the opposite of another, which does not fit the context of multitasking.
  • ram: 'Ram' can refer to a male sheep or a computer memory type, neither of which relates to the context of multitasking.
  • seen: 'Seen' is the past participle of 'see,' which does not fit grammatically or contextually in this sentence.
Correct answer: actually

Explanation: The word 'actually' serves as an adverb that emphasizes the reality of the situation, fitting grammatically and contextually to indicate that despite our beliefs, we do not manage to do more than one thing at a time.

Meaning: 'Actually' means in fact or really, used to clarify or emphasize a point.

Wrong options:

  • intramuscularly: 'Intramuscularly' refers to something done within a muscle, which is irrelevant in this context.
  • incorrigibly: 'Incorrigibly' means unable to be corrected or reformed, which does not fit the context of managing tasks.
  • dispassionately: 'Dispassionately' means without emotion or bias, which does not align with the intended meaning of the sentence.
Correct answer: parallel

Explanation: The word 'parallel' is an adjective that describes simultaneous processing, fitting grammatically and contextually to convey the idea of handling multiple tasks at the same time.

Meaning: 'Parallel' means occurring or existing at the same time, especially in relation to tasks or processes.

Wrong options:

  • smear: 'Smear' refers to spreading or marking something, which does not relate to processing tasks.
  • clientele: 'Clientele' refers to customers or clients, which is unrelated to the context of multitasking.
  • noel: 'Noel' means Christmas, which is completely irrelevant to the context of processing tasks.
Correct answer: practice

Explanation: The word 'practice' fits grammatically as a noun indicating the act of repeated exercise or performance, which is essential for developing multitasking skills. Contextually, it aligns with the idea that training improves our ability to multitask.

Meaning: 'Practice' refers to the repeated exercise of an activity or skill to acquire or maintain proficiency.

Wrong options:

  • disservice: 'Disservice' means harm or injury done to someone, which does not fit the positive context of improving skills.
  • audits: 'Audits' refer to official inspections of accounts or processes, which is unrelated to the context of training for multitasking.
  • comforts: 'Comforts' refers to things that provide physical ease or relaxation, which does not relate to the context of skill development.
Correct answer: thinking

Explanation: The word 'thinking' is a gerund that serves as the object of the preposition 'about,' fitting grammatically and contextually to indicate the mental process involved in decision-making and task management.

Meaning: 'Thinking' refers to the process of considering or reasoning about something.

Wrong options:

  • dipping: 'Dipping' refers to immersing something in a liquid, which does not fit the context of cognitive processes.
  • gripping: 'Gripping' means holding firmly, which is unrelated to the mental activity of processing information.
  • deflecting: 'Deflecting' means causing something to change direction, which does not align with the context of cognitive engagement.

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