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Practice Reading: Fill in the Blanks (Dropdown) ID: #5455 Lyrebird 1
Instructions ›
Below is a text with blanks. Click on each blank, a list of choices will appear. Select the appropriate choice for each blank.
Lyrebirds,  a  common  bird  in  rainforest  areas  of  Australia,  have  an  incredible  repertoire  of  sounds  that  they  are  able  to  mimic  from  their  environment,  including  over  20  other  bird  calls  as  well  as  sophisticated  mechanical  sounds.  They    to  replicate  the  sounds  of  chainsaws  and  pneumatic  drills.  The  male  lyrebird  sings  a  medley  of  mimicry  to  impress  females  -  and  the  more  detailed  and  varied  his  repertoire  is,  the  more  interesting  it  seems  to  potential  .  Like  females  of  other  bird  species,  female  lyrebirds  do  not    in  the  imitating,  but  simply  judge  the  competing  males'  symphonies.  Once  learned,  it  seems  a  lyrebird  rarely  forgets  a  call,  and  the  sounds  are  passed  down  through  the  generations.  There  are  some  lyrebirds  in  Victoria,  Australia,  that    recreate  the  sounds  of  axes,  saws  and  old-fashioned  cameras  which  have  not  been  used  in  the  area  for  years.

Result:

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Correct answer: have been known

Explanation: The phrase 'have been known' is in the present perfect passive form, indicating that the lyrebirds have a long-standing reputation for their ability to mimic sounds. This fits grammatically as it suggests an ongoing state that began in the past and continues to the present, aligning with the context of their mimicking abilities.

Meaning: 'Have been known' means that it is widely recognized or acknowledged that lyrebirds can replicate various sounds.

Wrong options:

  • are being known: This option is incorrect because 'are being known' suggests a current process of becoming known, which does not fit the established reputation of lyrebirds.
  • are knowing: This option is incorrect as 'are knowing' is not a standard usage in English; it implies an active process of knowing, which does not apply here.
  • know: This option is incorrect because 'know' is a simple present tense that does not convey the ongoing recognition of their mimicking abilities.
Correct answer: mates

Explanation: The word 'mates' is the most appropriate term in this context, referring to potential partners in a biological sense. It fits grammatically and contextually, as it aligns with the idea of reproduction and attraction in the animal kingdom.

Meaning: 'Mates' refers to partners in a reproductive context, particularly in the animal world, indicating those with whom the male lyrebird seeks to pair.

Wrong options:

  • companions: This option is incorrect because 'companions' implies friendship rather than a reproductive relationship, which is not the focus here.
  • spouses: This option is incorrect as 'spouses' suggests a formalized relationship, which is not typically used in the context of animal mating behavior.
  • pairs: This option is incorrect because 'pairs' is a general term that does not specifically denote potential reproductive partners.
Correct answer: take part

Explanation: The phrase 'take part' is an idiomatic expression meaning to participate in an activity. It fits grammatically and contextually, as it indicates that female lyrebirds do not engage in the act of mimicking sounds.

Meaning: 'Take part' means to participate or be involved in something, indicating that female lyrebirds do not engage in the mimicking process.

Wrong options:

  • put forward: This option is incorrect because 'put forward' means to propose or suggest something, which does not relate to participation in mimicking.
  • take place: This option is incorrect as 'take place' refers to an event occurring, not to participation in an activity.
  • work out: This option is incorrect because 'work out' implies solving a problem or exercising, which does not fit the context of mimicking sounds.
Correct answer: still

Explanation: The word 'still' indicates that the action continues to occur despite the passage of time, fitting grammatically and contextually as it emphasizes the ongoing ability of lyrebirds to recreate sounds that are no longer in use.

Meaning: 'Still' means 'up to now' or 'continuing to happen,' highlighting that these lyrebirds continue to mimic sounds that have not been used for years.

Wrong options:

  • indeed: This option is incorrect because 'indeed' is an affirmation and does not convey the sense of continuity required in this context.
  • just: This option is incorrect as 'just' implies a recent action or a limitation in time, which does not fit the ongoing nature of the lyrebirds' abilities.
  • yet: This option is incorrect because 'yet' suggests something that has not happened up to this point, which contradicts the idea of ongoing mimicry.

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