Solving the Fill-in-the-Blanks Passage on Human Taste

This question requires us to select the most appropriate words to complete a passage about the human tongue and its sense of taste. We need to carefully read the context and consider the meaning of the words provided in the options.

Analyzing the Passage and Blanks

The passage states:

"Scientists have determined that the human tongue is attuned to several (1)_____ like sweet, salty, bitter, sour, savoury and possibly fat. Telling the difference between these tastes was crucial for human (2)______."

The first blank (1) refers to the categories or types of tastes that the tongue can detect. The examples given (sweet, salty, bitter, sour, savoury, fat) are types of taste sensations.

The second blank (2) refers to why being able to distinguish these tastes was important for humans in the past (and present). The passage says it was "crucial". We need a word that indicates a state or condition related to human continuity or survival.

Evaluating the Options for Blank (1)

Let's look at the first word in each option for blank (1):

• Option 1: season - A season is a period of the year (like summer or winter) or adding flavour to food. It does not refer to the basic taste categories like sweet or salty.
• Option 2: relish - Relish means great enjoyment or appreciation of something, or a condiment. It does not refer to the basic taste categories.
• Option 3: tang - Tang is a strong, often sharp taste or smell. While related to taste, it is not a general term for the categories like sweet, salty, etc.
• Option 4: flavours - Flavours are the distinctive tastes of food or drink. This word perfectly fits the description of sweet, salty, bitter, etc., which are distinct taste types or flavours.

Based on this analysis, "flavours" is the most suitable word for blank (1).

Evaluating the Options for Blank (2)

Now let's look at the second word in each option for blank (2), considering that "flavours" is the best fit for blank (1):

• Option 1: reality (paired with 'season') - Reality means the state of things as they actually exist. Distinguishing tastes is not crucial for human "reality" in this context.
• Option 2: live (paired with 'relish') - Live is a verb meaning to be alive or reside. The blank requires a noun indicating a state or condition, not a verb.
• Option 3: alive (paired with 'tang') - Alive is an adjective meaning living. The blank requires a noun indicating a state or condition, not an adjective.
• Option 4: existence (paired with 'flavours') - Existence means the fact or state of living or having objective reality. Being able to distinguish tastes (like identifying poisonous foods by bitterness or spoilage) was crucial for human survival or continuance, which is directly related to human existence.

Based on this analysis, "existence" is the most suitable word for blank (2).

Combining the Best Options

Combining the best fits for both blanks, we get "flavours; existence". Let's read the passage with these words:

"Scientists have determined that the human tongue is attuned to several flavours like sweet, salty, bitter, sour, savoury and possibly fat. Telling the difference between these tastes was crucial for human existence."

This version of the passage makes perfect sense and fits the context. Distinguishing tastes helped humans avoid harmful substances (poison, spoiled food) and find nutritious ones, which was indeed crucial for their survival and continued existence.

Conclusion on the Passage Blanks

The most appropriate words to fill the blanks are "flavours" for the first blank and "existence" for the second blank.

Revision Table: Key Vocabulary

Additional Information on the Sense of Taste

The human sense of taste, also known as gustation, is one of the five traditional senses. It works through taste receptor cells located primarily in taste buds on the tongue, as well as in the mouth and throat.

• Taste Buds: These are small structures containing taste receptor cells.
• Basic Tastes: While the passage mentions sweet, salty, bitter, sour, savoury (umami), and possibly fat, the historically recognized basic tastes are sweet, salty, bitter, sour, and umami.
• Umami: This savoury taste is associated with glutamate, found in foods like meat, cheese, and mushrooms.
• Fat: Research continues into whether fat is a distinct basic taste or perceived through other mechanisms.
• Role in Survival: The ability to taste evolved partly as a survival mechanism. Sweet tastes often indicate energy-rich foods, while bitter tastes can signal toxins or poisons. Salty tastes are important for electrolyte balance, and sourness can indicate spoilage (fermentation) or unripe fruit. Umami can signal protein-rich foods.
• Interaction with Smell: What we perceive as flavour is a complex combination of taste and smell (olfaction). Smell often contributes more to the richness and detail of flavour than taste alone.

Understanding how these senses work together helps explain why filling the blanks with words like "flavours" and "existence" makes the passage clear and biologically accurate.