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Practice Reading: Fill in the Blanks (Dropdown) ID: #6409 Platypus
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  platypus  looks  like  no  other  creature  on  Earth.  Physically,  it  appears  to  be  a  hybrid  blend  of  a  bird,  beaver,  reptile  and  otter,  with  additional  characteristics  not  contained  in  any  of  these  four.  On  cursory  examination,  the  platypus  has  a  bill  that  most    that  of  a  waterfowl,  not  the  mouth  of  any  known  mammal.  Yet  it  is  not  an  ordinary  bill.  It  is  actually  a  well-designed  sensory  organ.  Not  a  nose,  but  a  highly  sensitive  electrolocation  sensor,  detecting  miniscule  electrical  impulses  generated  by  its  food  source  of  small  crustaceans  and  worms.  No  other  mammal  has  a  sensor  so  highly  —in  fact,  only  one  other  mammal  has  this  ability  at  all.  Then    are  the  webbed  feet,  similar  to  those  found  on  otters.  Unlike  an  otter,  however,  the  webbing  is  far  more  pronounced  on  the  front  feet  of  the  platypus,  which  it  uses  like  paddles  for  swimming.  While  in  the  water,  the  back  feet  are  tucked  into  its  body  and    used  at  all.

Result:

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Correct answer: resembles

Explanation: The word 'resembles' fits grammatically as it is a verb that indicates similarity, aligning with the context of comparing the platypus's bill to that of a waterfowl. It maintains the correct tense and subject-verb agreement, as the subject 'the platypus' is singular.

Meaning: 'Resembles' means to look like or be similar to something else, indicating that the platypus's bill has a likeness to that of a waterfowl.

Wrong options:

  • say: The verb 'say' does not convey similarity and is typically used for reporting speech, making it contextually inappropriate here.
  • looks: While 'looks' could imply appearance, it is less formal and does not fit as well as 'resembles' in this context of comparison.
  • likely: The word 'likely' suggests probability rather than similarity, which does not fit the grammatical structure needed in this sentence.
Correct answer: developed

Explanation: The word 'developed' is the correct choice as it is a past participle that indicates the advanced state of the sensory organ, fitting grammatically and contextually with the sentence structure. It aligns with the idea of having a unique ability that has been cultivated over time.

Meaning: 'Developed' means to have grown or advanced in complexity or capability, indicating that the platypus has a highly sophisticated sensory organ.

Wrong options:

  • installed: The term 'installed' implies a physical placement or setup, which does not accurately describe the natural evolution of a sensory organ.
  • pervasive: 'Pervasive' means widespread, which does not fit the context of describing the specific capability of the platypus's sensory organ.
  • dependent: The word 'dependent' suggests reliance on something else, which does not convey the intended meaning of the organ's sophistication.
Correct answer: there

Explanation: The word 'there' is the correct choice as it serves as an introductory adverb indicating existence, fitting grammatically and contextually to introduce the subject of the webbed feet. It aligns with the structure of the sentence, which discusses the characteristics of the platypus.

Meaning: 'There' is used to indicate the presence of something, in this case, the webbed feet of the platypus.

Wrong options:

  • so: The word 'so' is typically used to indicate a consequence or degree, which does not fit the context of introducing a new subject.
  • as: The word 'as' is used for comparisons or to indicate a role, which does not appropriately introduce the existence of the webbed feet.
  • their: The word 'their' is a possessive pronoun that does not fit grammatically in this context, as it would require a noun to follow.
Correct answer: hardly

Explanation: The word 'hardly' is the correct choice as it functions as an adverb indicating that the back feet are not used much at all, fitting grammatically and contextually within the sentence. It conveys the intended meaning of minimal usage effectively.

Meaning: 'Hardly' means barely or scarcely, indicating that the back feet of the platypus are not utilized significantly while swimming.

Wrong options:

  • purportedly: The term 'purportedly' suggests something is claimed or alleged, which does not fit the context of describing actual usage.
  • legged: The word 'legged' is an adjective that does not fit grammatically in this context, as it does not convey the intended meaning of usage.
  • lagged: The word 'lagged' implies falling behind or being delayed, which does not accurately describe the usage of the back feet.

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