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Practice Reading: Fill in the Blanks (Dropdown) ID: #52402 Microchip shortage
Instructions ›
Below is a text with blanks. Click on each blank, a list of choices will appear. Select the appropriate choice for each blank.
The  world  is  currently  experiencing  a  microchip  shortage,  which  is  affecting  the  supply  of  electronic  devices.  The    demand  for  devices  during  the  pandemic  has  caused  a    in  the  supply  of  microchips.  The  shortage  has  been  caused  by  several  factors,  including  the  closure  of  factories  due  to  the  pandemic,  the    nature  of  modern  devices,  and  the  trade  war  between  the  US  and  China.  As  a  result,  consumers  are  facing  higher  prices  and  longer  wait  times  for  their  favorite  gadgets.
Automobile  manufacturers  have  been  particularly  affected  by  the  shortage,  as  cars  require  a  large  number  of  microchips  for  everything  from  the  infotainment  system  to  the  engine  management.  Some  car  companies  have  had  to  temporarily    production  due  to  the  shortage.
The  microchip  shortage  is  a  reminder  of  how  interconnected  our  global  economy  is.  It  is  also  a  call  to  action  for  governments  and  companies  to  invest  in  the  development  of  new  manufacturing  facilities  and    chain  management  strategies  to  ensure  that  our  devices  are  always  available  when  we  need  them.

Result:

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Correct answer: increasing

Explanation: The word 'increasing' fits grammatically as it is an adjective describing the demand, which is a noun. It aligns contextually with the sentence, indicating that the demand for devices is on the rise, especially during the pandemic.

Meaning: Increasing means becoming greater in amount, number, or degree, indicating that more devices are being sought after during this time.

Wrong options:

  • moment: Moment refers to a brief period of time and does not describe demand, making it contextually irrelevant here.
  • friendly: Friendly is an adjective describing a pleasant demeanor, which does not relate to demand in this context.
  • poverty: Poverty refers to the state of being extremely poor, which does not fit the context of demand for devices.
Correct answer: disruption

Explanation: The word 'disruption' is a noun that fits grammatically as it follows the verb 'has caused.' Contextually, it indicates that the supply chain has been interrupted due to various factors, which is the main point of the sentence.

Meaning: Disruption means a disturbance or problems that interrupt an event, activity, or process, in this case, the supply of microchips.

Wrong options:

  • surrender: Surrender means to give up or yield, which does not fit the context of supply issues.
  • coroner: Coroner refers to an official who investigates deaths, which is unrelated to supply chains.
  • probably: Probably is an adverb indicating likelihood, which does not fit as a noun in this context.
Correct answer: complex

Explanation: The word 'complex' is an adjective that describes the nature of modern devices. It fits grammatically as it modifies the noun 'nature,' and contextually, it indicates that modern devices are intricate and multifaceted.

Meaning: Complex means consisting of many different and connected parts, highlighting the sophisticated design of modern devices.

Wrong options:

  • solids: Solids refers to a state of matter and does not describe nature, making it contextually irrelevant.
  • elegantly: Elegantly is an adverb describing manner, which does not fit as a descriptor for nature.
  • gleam: Gleam refers to a brief or faint light, which does not relate to the nature of devices.
Correct answer: halt

Explanation: The word 'halt' is a verb that fits grammatically as it follows 'to' and indicates an action. Contextually, it means to stop production, which is relevant to the shortage being discussed.

Meaning: Halt means to stop something from continuing, in this case, production due to the shortage of microchips.

Wrong options:

  • weary: Weary means tired, which does not fit as an action related to production.
  • reveals: Reveals is a verb that means to make known, which does not fit the context of stopping production.
  • loath: Loath is an adjective meaning reluctant, which does not fit grammatically or contextually in this sentence.
Correct answer: supply

Explanation: The word 'supply' is a noun that fits grammatically as it follows 'of' and indicates what type of management strategies are needed. Contextually, it relates to the management of resources necessary for production.

Meaning: Supply refers to the amount of a resource available for use, in this case, relating to the management of resources in manufacturing.

Wrong options:

  • mason: Mason refers to a builder or worker in stone, which is irrelevant to the context of supply chain management.
  • drip: Drip refers to a liquid falling drop by drop, which does not relate to management strategies.
  • materialistic: Materialistic is an adjective describing a focus on material possessions, which does not fit as a noun in this context.

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