Fill-in-the-Blank Questions: Exploring the Complexity of Animal Consciousness

Fill-in-the-blank questions:

Instructions: Read the following text. Choose the best word(s) for each numbered blank from the four choices of the multiple-choice questions.

Key words: 'idea, degree, electrical, previously, untrue, article, complex, greatly, possess, claimed; command, simplify, communicate. similar, brain, mass, capacity, investing, pain, according'.

Text: The [idea][1] that animals have some [degree][2] of consciousness has been debated for centuries. In recent years, researchers have focused on the [electrical][3] activity in the brain as a possible indicator of consciousness. [Previously][4], it was [untrue][5] that animals were capable of exhibiting any form of consciousness, but recent studies have shown that this is not the case. A new [article][6] suggests that the issue is more [complex][7] than we previously thought. While animals do possess some degree of consciousness, the level of consciousness [greatly][8] [differs][9] between species. Some animals, such as dolphins and elephants, have been [claimed][10] to possess a higher level of consciousness than others. The [command][11] center of the brain is where consciousness is thought to reside. Scientists have attempted to [simplify][12] this by breaking it down into a series of electrical signals. However, the way in which animals [communicate][13] through these signals is much more [similar][14] to a complex language than a simple series of electrical pulses. The [mass][15] of cells in the brain is also important. For consciousness to exist, a certain [capacity][16] is required. This is why animals with larger brains, such as humans, are capable of exhibiting a higher level of consciousness than those with smaller brains. Investing energy in a body system that can feel [pain][17] is also an evolutionary advantage. It allows animals to avoid dangerous situations and survive longer. [According][18] to the article, the evolution of consciousness is a natural process that has occurred over millions of years.

Single-choice questions:

[A] idea [B] concept [C] thought [D] hypothesis
[A] level [B] extent [C] range [D] scope
[A] electronic [B] magnetic [C] digital [D] atomic
[A] presently [B] recently [C] formerly [D] initially
[A] true [B] false [C] accurate [D] correct
[A] document [B] report [C] study [D] article
[A] simple [B] easy [C] difficult [D] challenging
[A] increases [B] decreases [C] remains [D] varies
[A] differs [B] suffers [C] benefits [D] develops
[A] refused [B] denied [C] claimed [D] accepted
[A] control [B] command [C] demand [D] request
[A] complicate [B] simplify [C] explain [D] elaborate
[A] respond [B] communicate [C] transmit [D] exchange
[A] identical [B] different [C] similar [D] same
[A] crowd [B] group [C] lot [D] mass
[A] capacity [B] capability [C] ability [D] power
[A] happiness [B] pleasure [C] joy [D] pain
[A] According [B] Contrary [C] Therefore [D] Additionally

Standard answers:

A 2. A 3. A 4. C 5. B 6. D 7. C 8. D 9. A 10. C
B 12. B 13. B 14. C 15. D 16. A 17. D 18. A