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Practice Reading: Fill in the Blanks (Dropdown) ID: #5463 Manakin 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.
A  manakin  is  an  unusual  type  of  bird  found  in  the  tropical  forests  of  Colombia  and  Ecuador.  Approximately  twenty  of  the  forty  different  types  of  manakin    a  kind  of  music  by  moving  their  body  parts.  This  is  particularly  done  by  the  male  bird  when  it  is  hoping  to  attract  a  female.  Although  ornithologists  had    been  aware  that  the  bird  somehow  managed  to  make  its  characteristic  noise  with  its  wings,  they  were  unable  to  work  out  exactly  how  the  sound  was  produced.  ,  a  post-graduate  student  has  recently  solved  the  puzzle.  She  did  so  by  recording  the  bird's  movements  with  a  camera  operating    a  speed  of  a  thousand  frames  per  second.  A  standard  camcorder  records  about  30  frames  per  second.  On  examining  the  footage  she  was  able  to  see  that  the  bird  used  one  special  feather  to  click  against  other  feathers  -  in  much  the  same  way    guitarists  use  a  plectrum  to  pluck  the  strings  of  their  instrument.

Result:

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Correct answer: make

Explanation: The verb 'make' is the correct choice here as it indicates the action of producing music, which fits grammatically in the present tense and contextually with the subject 'types of manakin.'

Meaning: 'Make' means to produce or create something, in this case, music by the manakin birds.

Wrong options:

  • have: The verb 'have' implies possession and does not convey the action of producing music, making it contextually inappropriate here.
  • get: The verb 'get' suggests obtaining or receiving, which does not align with the action of creating music, thus it is incorrect in this context.
  • do: The verb 'do' is generally used for performing actions but does not specifically indicate the creation of music, making it unsuitable in this sentence.
Correct answer: long

Explanation: The word 'long' fits correctly as it indicates a duration of time, which is appropriate in the context of the sentence discussing past awareness of the bird's noise-making ability.

Meaning: 'Long' refers to an extended period of time, suggesting that ornithologists had been aware of the bird's abilities for a significant duration.

Wrong options:

  • once: The word 'once' implies a single occurrence in the past, which does not fit the context of ongoing awareness over time.
  • ever: The word 'ever' suggests a question of existence or occurrence, which does not convey the sense of duration needed here.
  • still: The word 'still' implies continuity but does not indicate the length of time, making it less suitable in this context.
Correct answer: However

Explanation: The word 'However' serves as a discourse marker indicating a contrast to the previous statement, fitting well grammatically and contextually to introduce the new information about the student solving the puzzle.

Meaning: 'However' means 'in contrast' or 'nevertheless,' signaling a shift in the narrative to a positive outcome despite previous difficulties.

Wrong options:

  • Accordingly: The word 'Accordingly' suggests a logical conclusion or result, which does not fit the contrasting context of the sentence.
  • Moreover: The word 'Moreover' indicates an addition to the previous statement, which is not appropriate here as it does not convey contrast.
  • Whereas: The word 'Whereas' is used to compare two different situations, but it does not effectively introduce the new information as 'However' does.
Correct answer: at

Explanation: The preposition 'at' is the correct choice as it indicates a specific point in time or rate, fitting grammatically and contextually with the phrase 'a speed of a thousand frames per second.'

Meaning: 'At' is used to specify a particular rate or level, in this case, the speed of the camera's recording.

Wrong options:

  • for: The preposition 'for' indicates duration or purpose, which does not fit the context of specifying a speed.
  • by: The preposition 'by' suggests a method or means, which is not appropriate when discussing a specific speed.
  • in: The preposition 'in' typically indicates a location or time frame, but does not correctly convey the idea of speed in this context.
Correct answer: as

Explanation: The word 'as' is the correct choice because it indicates a comparison between the actions of the manakin and guitarists, fitting grammatically and contextually in the sentence.

Meaning: 'As' is used to indicate similarity or manner, in this case, comparing how the bird uses its feather to how guitarists use a plectrum.

Wrong options:

  • than: The word 'than' is used for comparisons of inequality, which does not fit the context of similarity required here.
  • like: The word 'like' is used for informal comparisons but does not fit the grammatical structure needed in this sentence.
  • so: The word 'so' indicates a result or consequence, which does not appropriately convey the comparative relationship intended in this context.

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