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: #5471 Advertising 4
Instructions ›
Below is a text with blanks. Click on each blank, a list of choices will appear. Select the appropriate choice for each blank.
It  is  surprising  how  many  people  still  believe  that  advertising  has  little  or  no  influence  on  what  they  buy.  It  is  more  surprising  still  when  these  same  people    to  using  a  particular  brand  of,  say,  washing  powder,  toothpaste  or  cigarettes,  and  say  they  wouldn't  change  if  you  paid  them  -  even  after  they've  been  shown  that  another  brand  is  either  just  the  same,  better  or  cheaper.  The  fact  is,  people    themselves  that  they  have  never  consciously  made  a  deliberate  decision  to  buy  a  product  based  on  an  advertisement  they  have  seen.  They  may,  however,  own  up  to  doing  so  when  they  come  to  buy  a  product  they  have  never  owned  before  and  shop  around  for  the  best  .
But  there's  no    away  from  ads.  They're  everywhere,  and  they're  designed  very  cleverly  and  carefully  to  play  on  your  emotions.  And  it  works:  you  remember  the  ads  that  make  you  laugh,  or  feel  sad,  or  simply  annoy  you.  Often  you  find  yourself  buying  something  simply  -  you  tell  yourself  -  to  try  it  out,  but  how  did  this  brand  of  this  product  get  into  your  head?  Another  reason  for  supposing  advertising  works  is  the  question:  why  would  so  many  hard-headed  business  people  spend  so  much  money  on  something  that  didn't?

Result:

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

Explanation: The word 'admit' fits grammatically as it indicates a willingness to acknowledge something, which aligns with the context of people confessing their brand usage. It is in the correct tense and form to match the surrounding sentence structure.

Meaning: 'Admit' means to acknowledge or confess something, often reluctantly, which in this case refers to people recognizing their brand preferences despite their earlier claims.

Wrong options:

  • divulge: Divulge means to reveal something secret or private, which does not fit the context of acknowledging a brand choice; it implies a level of secrecy that is not present here.
  • reveal: Reveal suggests making something known that was hidden, but it lacks the nuance of personal acknowledgment that 'admit' conveys in this context.
  • declare: Declare implies a formal statement or announcement, which does not capture the personal and somewhat reluctant nature of acknowledging brand loyalty.
Correct answer: persuade

Explanation: The word 'persuade' is appropriate here as it indicates that people convince themselves of a belief, fitting the context of self-deception regarding their purchasing decisions. It aligns with the grammatical structure of the sentence.

Meaning: 'Persuade' means to convince someone to believe or do something, which in this case refers to individuals convincing themselves of their decision-making process regarding purchases.

Wrong options:

  • believe: Believe simply means to accept something as true, but it does not convey the active process of convincing oneself that 'persuade' does.
  • confess: Confess implies admitting to wrongdoing or guilt, which does not fit the context of self-deception about purchasing decisions.
  • credit: Credit means to acknowledge or assign responsibility, which does not align with the idea of self-persuasion in the context of consumer behavior.
Correct answer: deal

Explanation: The word 'deal' fits well as it refers to an agreement or arrangement, particularly in the context of shopping for the best price or offer. It is grammatically correct and contextually relevant to the act of purchasing.

Meaning: 'Deal' refers to a transaction or agreement, especially one that is advantageous, which in this context relates to finding the best offer when shopping.

Wrong options:

  • money: Money refers to currency and does not fit grammatically or contextually as it does not relate to the concept of shopping for an offer.
  • saving: Saving implies the act of conserving resources, which does not directly relate to the context of shopping for the best option.
  • package: Package refers to a bundle of products or a physical container, which does not align with the idea of seeking the best offer in a shopping context.
Correct answer: getting

Explanation: The word 'getting' is appropriate as it refers to the act of obtaining or acquiring something, fitting the context of avoiding advertisements. It is in the correct form to match the sentence structure.

Meaning: 'Getting' means the act of obtaining or acquiring something, which in this case refers to the impossibility of avoiding advertisements.

Wrong options:

  • escaping: Escaping implies a physical act of fleeing, which does not fit the context of avoiding something like ads; it suggests a more dramatic action than is intended here.
  • breaking: Breaking suggests a forceful separation, which does not align with the context of avoiding ads; it implies a more violent action than simply not engaging with advertisements.
  • going: Going implies movement or travel, which does not fit the context of avoiding something; it lacks the specific connotation of obtaining or acquiring that 'getting' provides.

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.
Be the first! No community answers here yet. Submit yours and help others learn.
How difficult was this question?
Others found: 100% Easy · 0% Medium · 0% Hard
Saving...