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Practice Reading: Fill in the Blanks (Dropdown) ID: #51242 Energy Saving
Instructions ›
Below is a text with blanks. Click on each blank, a list of choices will appear. Select the appropriate choice for each blank.
Using  less  energy  saves  money  and  lowers  greenhouse  gas  .  And  various  studies  have  looked  at  ways  to  get    to  use  less  energy.  Now  there's  evidence  that  people  in  such  a  study  use  less  energy…because  they're  in  a  study.  The  general    is  called  the    effect:  study  subjects  change  their  behavior  because  they're  being  observed.  So    collaborated  with  a  utility  to  test  for  the  Hawthorne  effect  in  electricity  use.  They    almost  5,600  randomly  selected  households.  Half  received  a  postcard  saying  that  their  energy  use  would  be  monitored  for  a  month  for  research  purposes.  They  also  got  four  follow-up  reminder  postcards  over  the  month.  They  received  no  other  information,  instructions  or  incentives.  The  control  group  monitored  for  the  study  got  no  notifications.  That  group  continued  using  the  same  amount  of  electricity.  But  the  families  being  tracked  reduced  energy  use  2.7  percent.  And  when  the  study  period  ended,  their  energy  use  shot  back  up.  The  report  is  in  the  Proceedings  of  the  National  Academy  of  Sciences.  Clearly,  mindful  consumers  can  find  ways  to  easily  lower  their  energy  consumption.  Perhaps  policy  makers  can  find  a  way  to  use  the  Hawthorne  effect  to  everyone's  advantage.

Result:

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

Explanation: The term 'emissions' fits grammatically as it is a plural noun that refers to the release of substances, particularly greenhouse gases, into the atmosphere. This aligns with the context of discussing energy use and its environmental impact.

Meaning: 'Emissions' refers to the gases or pollutants released into the air, particularly from sources like vehicles or factories, which contribute to climate change.

Wrong options:

  • visits: 'Visits' refers to the act of going to see someone or something, which does not relate to energy or greenhouse gases.
  • suspicious: 'Suspicious' describes a feeling of distrust or doubt, which is irrelevant in this context about energy and emissions.
  • medals: 'Medals' are awards given for achievement, which does not connect to the topic of energy use or environmental impact.
Correct answer: households

Explanation: The word 'households' is a plural noun that refers to groups of people living together, which is contextually appropriate as the text discusses ways to encourage these groups to use less energy.

Meaning: 'Households' means the people living in a single home or residence, often used in discussions about energy consumption and social studies.

Wrong options:

  • gauchos: 'Gauchos' refers to South American cowhands, which is unrelated to the context of energy use.
  • cowpokes: 'Cowpokes' is a colloquial term for cowboys, which does not fit the context of energy consumption.
  • outgrowths: 'Outgrowths' refers to something that has developed from something else, which does not apply to the discussion of energy use.
Correct answer: phenomenon

Explanation: The word 'phenomenon' is a noun that describes an observable event or occurrence, which fits well in the context of discussing the effects of being observed on behavior.

Meaning: 'Phenomenon' means an observable fact or event, especially one that is unusual or difficult to explain, in this case, the change in behavior due to observation.

Wrong options:

  • meme: 'Meme' refers to an idea or behavior that spreads within a culture, which does not relate to the context of energy use and behavior change.
  • supermom: 'Supermom' is a colloquial term for an exceptionally capable mother, which is irrelevant in this context.
  • orangutang: 'Orangutang' is a type of primate, which does not connect to the topic of human behavior and energy consumption.
Correct answer: Hawthorne

Explanation: The term 'Hawthorne' is a proper noun referring to the specific effect named after the Hawthorne studies, which is relevant to the context of behavioral changes due to observation.

Meaning: 'Hawthorne' refers to the Hawthorne effect, which describes how individuals modify their behavior when they know they are being observed.

Wrong options:

  • Soapstone: 'Soapstone' is a type of metamorphic rock, which does not relate to the context of behavioral studies.
  • Jawbone: 'Jawbone' refers to the bone structure of the jaw, which is irrelevant in this context.
  • Longhorn: 'Longhorn' typically refers to a breed of cattle, which does not connect to the topic of behavioral observation.
Correct answer: researchers

Explanation: The word 'researchers' is a plural noun that refers to individuals conducting studies, fitting well in the context of the sentence discussing the study of the Hawthorne effect.

Meaning: 'Researchers' are people who conduct investigations or studies to discover new information, particularly in scientific fields.

Wrong options:

  • lurch: 'Lurch' means to make an abrupt or uncontrolled movement, which does not fit the context of conducting research.
  • substitutes: 'Substitutes' refers to replacements, which does not apply to the context of individuals conducting a study.
  • undershirt: 'Undershirt' is a type of clothing worn under a shirt, which is irrelevant in this context.
Correct answer: monitored

Explanation: The word 'monitored' is the past tense of the verb 'monitor,' meaning to observe and check the progress or quality of something over a period of time, which fits the context of the study being discussed.

Meaning: 'Monitored' means to observe and check the behavior or performance of something, particularly in a systematic way, as in the study of energy use.

Wrong options:

  • satirised: 'Satirised' means to mock or ridicule, which does not fit the context of observing energy use.
  • manacled: 'Manacled' means to be shackled or restrained, which is irrelevant in the context of monitoring energy consumption.
  • monocled: 'Monocled' refers to wearing a monocle, which is unrelated to the act of observing or studying.

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