Loading question...
You are in free guest mode. Timed Practice Revision List Attempt History Progress Tracking Create a free account to unlock these tools
Prev Next
Practice Reading: Fill in the Blanks (Dropdown) ID: #51259 Tiny Creatures
Instructions ›
Below is a text with blanks. Click on each blank, a list of choices will appear. Select the appropriate choice for each blank.
Think  of  the    creatures  you've  ever  seen  in  a  sci-fi  film.  Now  think  of  this:  there  are  far  stranger,  albeit  smaller,  critters  living  in  your  own  home.  And  Rob  Dunn  at  North  Carolina  State  University  wants  you  to  go  on  safari  to  find  them.  Research  has  been  done  on  the    of  bacteria,  fungi  and  other  organisms  that  live  on  our  skin,  in  our  guts,  even  in  our  belly  buttons.  But  there  are  other  entire  ecosystems  that  surround  us.  And  scientists  want  to  understand  how  they  differ  based  on  how  and  where  we  live.  What's  the  tiny  life  like  on  a  door  frame  in  Brooklyn  compared  with  that  in  Des  Moines?  Or  how  do  fridge    of  an  urban  singleton  stack  up  with  those  of  a  suburban  family?  The  research  team  seeks  ten  volunteers  from  each  state,  five  urban  and  five  rural.  Each  volunteer  will  get  a  kit  of  vials  and  swabs,  along  with  instructions  about  where  and  how  to  swipe—such  as  door  frames,  couch  cushions,  refrigerators,    yourself.  The  samples  will  be  ,  to  uncover  the  secrets  of  our    companions.  To  find  out  more,  go  to  robdunnlab.com.

Result:

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

Explanation: The word 'weirdest' serves as a superlative adjective, effectively describing the creatures in the context of the sentence. It fits grammatically as it modifies the noun 'creatures' and aligns with the comparative sentiment of the sentence, which contrasts them with even stranger organisms in our homes.

Meaning: 'Weirdest' means the most strange or unusual, emphasizing that the creatures being referred to are the most bizarre compared to others.

Wrong options:

  • helot: 'Helot' refers to a serf or slave in ancient Greece, which does not fit the context of describing creatures in a sci-fi film.
  • codependent: 'Codependent' describes a relationship where one person relies on another, which is irrelevant to the description of creatures.
  • signaled: 'Signaled' is a verb that implies an action of indicating something, which does not grammatically or contextually fit as a descriptor for creatures.
Correct answer: diversity

Explanation: The term 'diversity' accurately captures the variety of bacteria, fungi, and other organisms being studied. It fits grammatically as a noun that complements the verb 'has been done on,' and contextually, it aligns with the research focus on different types of organisms.

Meaning: 'Diversity' refers to the range of different things, in this case, the variety of organisms present in different environments.

Wrong options:

  • pattern: 'Pattern' implies a repeated design or sequence, which does not convey the variety of organisms being discussed.
  • surface: 'Surface' refers to the outermost layer of something, which does not relate to the variety of organisms in the context.
  • choice: 'Choice' indicates an option or selection, which does not fit the context of studying organisms.
Correct answer: microbes

Explanation: The word 'microbes' is a noun that refers to microscopic organisms, fitting perfectly in the context of discussing tiny life forms. It aligns grammatically as the subject of the comparison and contextually as it relates to the organisms being studied in the fridge.

Meaning: 'Microbes' are tiny living organisms, such as bacteria and fungi, that are often too small to be seen without a microscope.

Wrong options:

  • firestorms: 'Firestorms' refer to intense fires, which are unrelated to the context of living organisms.
  • cyclops: 'Cyclops' refers to a mythical creature with one eye, which does not fit the scientific context of the sentence.
  • tiros: 'Tiros' is not a commonly recognized term in this context and does not relate to organisms.
Correct answer: even

Explanation: The word 'even' serves as an adverb that emphasizes inclusivity, indicating that the samples can be taken from yourself as well. It fits grammatically and contextually, enhancing the meaning of the sentence by suggesting that no area is excluded from sampling.

Meaning: 'Even' means 'including' or 'to a greater degree,' emphasizing that all areas, including oneself, are part of the sampling process.

Wrong options:

  • without: 'Without' indicates the absence of something, which contradicts the idea of including oneself in the sampling.
  • against: 'Against' implies opposition, which does not fit the context of taking samples.
  • unless: 'Unless' introduces a condition, which does not align with the inclusive nature of the sentence.
Correct answer: analyzed

Explanation: The word 'analyzed' is a verb that indicates the action of examining the samples in detail. It fits grammatically as the main verb of the sentence and contextually aligns with the purpose of the research, which is to uncover secrets through examination.

Meaning: 'Analyzed' means to examine something methodically and in detail, especially to understand its structure or meaning.

Wrong options:

  • exempted: 'Exempted' means to be freed from an obligation, which does not fit the context of processing samples.
  • clicked: 'Clicked' refers to the action of pressing a button, which is irrelevant in the context of scientific analysis.
  • forgotten: 'Forgotten' implies neglect or loss of memory, which does not relate to the active process of analyzing samples.
Correct answer: microscopic

Explanation: The term 'microscopic' is an adjective that describes organisms that are too small to be seen with the naked eye. It fits grammatically as it modifies the noun 'companions' and contextually aligns with the discussion of tiny life forms.

Meaning: 'Microscopic' refers to something that is so small that it can only be seen with a microscope, emphasizing the scale of the organisms being studied.

Wrong options:

  • mechanic: 'Mechanic' refers to a person skilled in repairing machinery, which does not relate to the context of living organisms.
  • nondemocratic: 'Nondemocratic' describes a system that does not adhere to democratic principles, which is irrelevant here.
  • epidemical: 'Epidemical' relates to the spread of disease, which does not accurately describe the nature of the organisms discussed.

The rest of this explanation is for members. Sign in free to read why the other options are wrong, key words and tips.

Sign in to read the full explanation

With a free account: Retry and compare every attempt.
How difficult was this question?
Others found: 29% Easy · 14% Medium · 57% Hard
Saving...