Question

Fill in the blank with the right choice of words.
Wilson _________ that human beings inherit a tendency to feel an affinity and awe for other living things, in the same way, that we are __________ to be inquisitive or to protect our young at all costs.
A) Argues – encouraged
B) Maintains – trained
C) Contends – predisposed
D) Fears – taught
E) Demurs – genetically programmed

Answer 1

Hint: Read the context carefully and understand what it requires to make it meaningfully correct. Read the sentence completely and find the best fit in the blank. Vocabulary also plays an important role because it helps in making the sentence correct.

Complete answer:
Option A) Argues – encouraged – is an incorrect answer because the meaning of argues is ‘to say things, often angrily, that show that you do not agree with somebody about something or assert or declare or maintain’ and the meaning of encouraged is ‘inspire or motivate or uplift or cheer’. These two words cannot be used in the blanks because it does not give the clear meaning of the sentence. Therefore, this is an incorrect answer.

Option B) Maintains – trained – is an incorrect answer because the meaning of maintains is ‘continue or keep or conserve or preserve’ and the meaning of trained is ‘instruct or teach or educate or upskill’. These two words cannot be used in the blanks because they do not give the clear meaning of the sentence. Therefore, this is an incorrect answer.

Option C) Contends – predisposed – is the correct answer because the meaning of contends is ‘to have to deal with a problem or a difficult situation’ and the meaning of predisposed is ‘to influence somebody in a way that makes it more likely that they will behave or think in a particular way’. These words are the correct words that are to be used in the blanks and these words makes the meaningful sentence. Therefore, this is the correct option.

Option D) Fears – taught – is an incorrect answer because the meaning of fears is ‘terror or fright or panic or allegation’ and the meaning of taught is ‘educate instruct, school or coach or train’. These two words cannot be used in the blanks because it does not give the clear meaning of the sentence and hence, this is an incorrect answer.

Option E) Demurs – genetically programmed – is an incorrect answer because the meaning of demurs is ‘object or protest and dissent’ and the meaning of genetically programmed is ‘is a technique of involving programs.’ These two words cannot be used in the blanks because it does not give the clear meaning of the sentence. Therefore, this is an incorrect answer.

Thus, the correct answer is Option (C) Contends - predisposed

Note: The word ‘contend’ is a verb and some of its synonyms are; compete, challenge, face, contest, profess, etc. The word ‘predisposed’ is also a verb and some of its synonyms are; to make liable, to make susceptible, etc. and these words can also be used in the blank.