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Practice Reading: Reading and Writing Fill in the Blanks ID: #51267 Capsaicin
Instructions ›
Below is a text with blanks. Click on each blank, a list of choices will appear. Select the appropriate choice for each blank.
Here's  a  possible  blood    remedy.  But  it's  only  for  those  who  can  stand  the  heat.  It's  capsaicin,  the  "active  ingredient"  in  peppers  like  habaneros  that  should  probably  be  sold  by  prescription  only.  While  lips  burn  and  eyes  water,  blood  vessels    relax,  thanks  to  increased    of  the  signaling  molecule  nitric  oxide.  In  rodents,  anyway.  For  seven  months,    in  China  fed  a  steady  diet  of  capsaicin  to  rats  bred  to  be  hypertensive.  Long-term  consumption  of  the  chemical    lowered  the  rats'  blood  pressure.  The  results  appear  in  the  August  issue  of  the  journal  Cell  Metabolism.  Previous  research  found  mixed  results  with  capsaicin,  but  those  studies  only  looked  at    effects.  Human  trials  are  needed,  but  there's  already  a  clue.  Some  20  percent  of  people  in  northeastern  China  have  high  blood  pressure.  But  the  southwest—where  hot  peppers  are  a  dietary  staple—has  a  much  lower  incidence,  half  in  some  places.  Human  studies  could  also  confirm  whether  the  habanero,  as  legend  has  it,  can  cause  hearing  loss.  Allegedly  so  that  diners  don't  have  to  listen  to  their  own  screams.

Result:

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

Explanation: The word 'pressure' fits grammatically as a noun that describes a condition related to blood, aligning with the context of the sentence which discusses a remedy for blood-related issues. It is the only option that correctly completes the phrase 'blood __BLANK1__ remedy.'

Meaning: 'Pressure' refers to the force exerted by the blood against the walls of blood vessels, which is a critical aspect of cardiovascular health.

Wrong options:

  • depressor: 'Depressor' is a noun that refers to something that lowers or reduces, but it does not fit contextually as a remedy for blood issues.
  • whenever: 'Whenever' is an adverb indicating time, which does not fit grammatically or contextually in this sentence.
  • quicker: 'Quicker' is an adjective that describes speed, which is irrelevant in the context of a remedy for blood.
Correct answer: actually

Explanation: The word 'actually' serves as an adverb that emphasizes the truth of the statement regarding blood vessels relaxing, fitting well within the context of the sentence and providing clarity to the action described.

Meaning: 'Actually' means 'in fact' or 'really,' reinforcing the idea that blood vessels do indeed relax as a result of the remedy being discussed.

Wrong options:

  • actually: This is the correct answer.
  • unfashionably: 'Unfashionably' is an adverb that describes something out of style, which does not relate to the physiological process of blood vessels relaxing.
  • anonymously: 'Anonymously' refers to acting without revealing one's identity, which is irrelevant in this context.
  • concomitantly: 'Concomitantly' means occurring at the same time, which does not accurately describe the action of blood vessels relaxing in this context.
Correct answer: production

Explanation: The word 'production' is a noun that refers to the process of creating or generating something, which fits grammatically and contextually as it describes the increase of a signaling molecule in the body.

Meaning: 'Production' means the act of producing or generating something, in this case, the signaling molecule nitric oxide.

Wrong options:

  • production: This is the correct answer.
  • impulsion: 'Impulsion' refers to a driving force or impulse, which does not fit the context of generating a molecule.
  • cannon: 'Cannon' is a noun referring to a large gun, which is completely unrelated to the context of blood and signaling molecules.
  • bondmen: 'Bondmen' refers to enslaved individuals or laborers, which is irrelevant in this scientific context.
Correct answer: researchers

Explanation: The word 'researchers' is a noun that refers to individuals conducting scientific studies, fitting grammatically and contextually as it describes the people involved in the study mentioned in the sentence.

Meaning: 'Researchers' are individuals who investigate and study a particular subject to gain new knowledge, in this case, about the effects of capsaicin on rats.

Wrong options:

  • researchers: This is the correct answer.
  • cookers: 'Cookers' refers to individuals who prepare food, which does not relate to the scientific study being discussed.
  • supervisors: 'Supervisors' are individuals who oversee others, which does not accurately describe the role of those conducting the study.
  • deans: 'Deans' are academic administrators, which is unrelated to the context of conducting research.
Correct answer: substantially

Explanation: The word 'substantially' is an adverb that indicates a significant degree or extent, fitting well in the context of describing the impact of capsaicin on lowering blood pressure.

Meaning: 'Substantially' means to a large extent or degree, indicating that the reduction in blood pressure was significant.

Wrong options:

  • mortality: 'Mortality' refers to the state of being subject to death, which does not fit the context of lowering blood pressure.
  • bisexuality: 'Bisexuality' refers to sexual attraction to both men and women, which is irrelevant in this context.
  • practicality: 'Practicality' refers to the quality of being practical or useful, which does not relate to the effects of capsaicin on blood pressure.
Correct answer: short-term

Explanation: The phrase 'short-term' is an adjective that describes effects occurring over a brief period, fitting grammatically and contextually as it contrasts with the long-term effects being discussed.

Meaning: 'Short-term' refers to a limited duration, indicating that previous studies only examined effects that did not last long.

Wrong options:

  • mortem: 'Mortem' refers to death, typically used in the phrase 'post-mortem,' which is irrelevant in this context.
  • short-term: This is the correct answer.
  • glowworm: 'Glowworm' refers to a bioluminescent insect, which has no relevance to the context of blood pressure studies.
  • totem: 'Totem' refers to a symbolic object or emblem, which does not fit the context of scientific research.

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