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Practice Reading: Fill in the Blanks (Dropdown) ID: #5484 Stress 2
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  human  body  is  designed  to    physically  rather  than  mentally  to  stressful  situations.  This  instinctive  reaction  to  a  situation  is    as  the  "fight  or  flight"  response.  The  body  is  prepared  to  either  stand  and  deal  with  the  problem  by  fighting  it,  or  to  escape  to  safety.  Even  if  the  problem  or  threat  is  emotional  and  not  physical,  the  body  behaves  in  the  same  way:  the  heart  beats  faster,  the  muscles  tense,  and  the  skin  sweats  more.  If  someone  finds  themselves  in  a  situation  where  there  is  no    to  escape  or  overcome  the    of  the  threat,  then  stress  and  anxiety  will  occur.
Some  of  the  first  signs  that  the  pressure  is  getting  to  you  are  loss  of  concentration,  inability  to  sleep,  loss  of  temper  for  minor  reasons,  headaches,  aching  limbs  and  a  general  feeling  of  uneasiness.  These    can  lead  on  to  more  serious  problems,  such  as  high  blood  pressure  which  increases  the  risk  of  a  heart  attack.  Stress  weakens  the  body's  defence  system,  so  you  are  more  likely  to  get  minor  ailments  like  colds.  It  can  also  lead  to  baldness.  Mentally,  it  becomes  harder  and  harder  to  perform  your  normal  day-to-day  activities,  and  can  lead  to  a  nervous  breakdown.  Recognizing  all  this  is  the  first  step    getting  back  to  health  and  being  able  to  cope  with  the  causes  of  stress.

Result:

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Correct answer: respond

Explanation: The word 'respond' fits grammatically as it is a verb that indicates an action taken by the human body in reaction to stressful situations. It aligns with the context of the sentence, which discusses how the body reacts physically rather than mentally, making it the most suitable choice.

Meaning: 'Respond' means to react or reply to something, in this case, how the body reacts to stress.

Wrong options:

  • deal: The verb 'deal' implies managing or handling a situation, but it does not convey the immediate reaction aspect that 'respond' does.
  • cope: While 'cope' suggests managing difficulties, it lacks the directness of an immediate physical reaction, which is central to the context.
  • act: The verb 'act' is too broad and does not specifically indicate a reaction to stress, making it less precise than 'respond'.
Correct answer: known

Explanation: The word 'known' is appropriate here as it indicates that the reaction is recognized by a specific term. It fits grammatically and contextually, as it describes the established terminology for the 'fight or flight' response.

Meaning: 'Known' means recognized or identified, indicating that this reaction is widely acknowledged by that name.

Wrong options:

  • called: While 'called' could fit, it is less formal and does not convey the same level of recognition as 'known'.
  • named: The word 'named' suggests a title but lacks the nuance of recognition that 'known' provides in this context.
  • referred: Although 'referred' could work, it implies a more indirect mention, which does not match the definitive nature of the term being established.
Correct answer: chance

Explanation: The word 'chance' fits grammatically as a noun indicating the possibility of escape. It aligns with the context of the sentence, which discusses situations where escape is not possible.

Meaning: 'Chance' refers to the possibility or likelihood of something happening, in this case, the possibility of escaping a threat.

Wrong options:

  • occasion: 'Occasion' refers to a specific event or instance, which does not fit the context of possibility in this scenario.
  • hope: 'Hope' implies a desire for something to happen, but it does not convey the concrete possibility that 'chance' does.
  • likelihood: While 'likelihood' is similar, it is more abstract and less commonly used in everyday language compared to 'chance'.
Correct answer: cause

Explanation: The word 'cause' is appropriate as it refers to the reason behind the threat. It fits grammatically and contextually, as it describes what is being dealt with in stressful situations.

Meaning: 'Cause' means the reason or factor that leads to a particular situation, in this case, the threat that induces stress.

Wrong options:

  • reason: While 'reason' could fit, it is less specific than 'cause' in this context, which is more commonly used in discussions of threats.
  • manner: 'Manner' refers to the way something is done, which does not relate to the context of a threat.
  • purpose: 'Purpose' indicates an intention, which does not align with the context of identifying a threat.
Correct answer: symptoms

Explanation: The word 'symptoms' fits grammatically as a plural noun that describes the signs of stress. It aligns with the context of the sentence, which discusses the effects of stress on the body.

Meaning: 'Symptoms' are physical or mental signs that indicate a condition, in this case, the signs of stress.

Wrong options:

  • infections: 'Infections' refer to diseases caused by pathogens, which does not fit the context of stress-related signs.
  • moods: 'Moods' refer to emotional states, which are not the physical signs being described in the context of stress.
  • pains: 'Pains' refer specifically to discomfort, which is too narrow and does not encompass the broader range of signs indicated by 'symptoms'.
Correct answer: towards

Explanation: The word 'towards' fits grammatically as a preposition indicating direction. It aligns with the context of the sentence, which discusses the process of moving in the direction of recovery.

Meaning: 'Towards' means in the direction of something, indicating a movement or progression in the context of health recovery.

Wrong options:

  • away: 'Away' implies a movement in the opposite direction, which contradicts the idea of moving towards recovery.
  • back: 'Back' suggests a return to a previous state, which does not convey the proactive nature of moving towards health.
  • forward: 'Forward' implies progress but lacks the specific directional nuance that 'towards' provides in this context.

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