This question requires us to fill in the blanks in a given passage using the most appropriate words from the provided alternatives. The passage discusses science's positive impact on human suffering and the gratitude owed to scientists.

Understanding the Passage Context

The passage states that "Science has made an (1)________ contribution to the relief of human suffering". This sentence talks about the scale or nature of the contribution made by science. The word filling the blank should describe the extent or type of this contribution.

Analyzing the Options for Blank (1)

Let's look at the meaning of each option and how it fits in the context of describing a "contribution":

• Excessive: This word means more than necessary or desirable; it often carries a negative connotation, suggesting something is too much or goes too far. A contribution to relieving suffering is generally seen as positive, so "excessive" does not fit here.
• Intensive: This means concentrated, involving a lot of effort, or thorough. While scientific work is intensive, describing the *contribution* itself as "intensive" doesn't quite capture the overall impact on human suffering in this context. It describes the *process* rather than the *result* or *scale*.
• Enterprising: This describes someone who shows initiative and resourcefulness, often in undertaking new projects or ventures. It is typically used to describe a person or an activity, not a contribution in terms of its magnitude or nature towards relief.
• Enormous: This means extremely large or vast. Describing a contribution as "enormous" signifies that it has had a very great impact or is very significant in size or extent. Science's role in relieving human suffering (through medical advances, improved living conditions, etc.) is widely considered to be very large and significant.

Choosing the Most Appropriate Word

Considering the meanings, "enormous" is the most suitable word to describe the scale and significance of science's contribution to the relief of human suffering. It accurately conveys the large and positive impact that scientific advancements have had on improving human lives and reducing suffering globally.

Therefore, the most appropriate option for blank (1) is "enormous".

The completed first part of the sentence reads: "Science has made an enormous contribution to the relief of human suffering..."

Revision Table: Key Vocabulary

Additional Information: Contextual Vocabulary

Choosing the correct word in fill-in-the-blank questions often depends heavily on the context of the sentence and the overall passage. It's important to consider not just the dictionary definition of a word, but also its connotations (positive, negative, neutral) and how it is typically used in conjunction with other words (collocations). In this case, "enormous contribution" is a common and fitting phrase to describe a significant positive impact, whereas phrases like "excessive contribution" or "intensive contribution" are not standard or appropriate in this context.