Understanding the Passage and the Task

The question asks us to complete a passage by filling in the missing words. This is a type of question known as a cloze test, which assesses your vocabulary and understanding of context and grammar. The passage discusses how humans interact with animals based on their perceived usefulness or harmfulness.

We need to select the most appropriate word from the given options to fill in blank number 5.

Analyzing Blank Number 5

Let's look at the sentence containing blank number 5:

"Thus, our 4 ______ to song-birds, birds of prey and other animals is 5 _____ by the fact that they have either been proved useful or of no consequence at all."

This sentence explains that our relationship, attitude, or response (indicated by blank 4) towards certain animals (like song-birds, birds of prey, etc.) is shaped or influenced by whether we consider them useful or not important ("of no consequence"). The phrase "is _____ by the fact that" suggests that the preceding idea (our something towards animals) is controlled or decided by the following information (whether they are useful or not).

Evaluating the Options for Blank 5

Let's examine each option provided for blank number 5:

• completely: If we insert "completely", the sentence would be "is completely by the fact that...". This is grammatically incorrect and doesn't make sense in the context of being influenced by a fact.
• adapted: If we insert "adapted", the sentence would be "is adapted by the fact that...". While humans might adapt *to* animals or their presence, our "response" or "attitude" isn't typically "adapted by" a fact in this structure. The phrasing feels awkward here.
• certainly: If we insert "certainly", the sentence would be "is certainly by the fact that...". This is also grammatically incorrect. "Certainly" is an adverb expressing conviction, and it doesn't fit the structure "is [adverb] by the fact that".
• determined: If we insert "determined", the sentence becomes "is determined by the fact that...". The phrase "determined by" means 'decided or controlled by'. This fits the context perfectly. Our attitude or relationship towards these animals is decided or controlled by whether they are useful or considered of no consequence.

Choosing the Most Appropriate Word

Based on the grammatical structure and the meaning of the sentence, "determined" is the only option that logically fits blank number 5. The usefulness or lack thereof of animals acts as a factor that determines how humans treat them.

Conclusion on Blank 5

The word that best completes blank number 5, making the sentence grammatically correct and contextually meaningful, is "determined". The sentence correctly conveys that human attitude towards animals is shaped by their perceived utility.

Revision Table: Key Vocabulary and Concepts

Additional Information: Understanding Cloze Tests

Cloze tests are a common way to test language proficiency. They require you to read a passage and fill in missing words. To succeed in cloze tests, you should:

• Read the entire passage first to understand the main topic and flow of ideas.
• Read the sentence containing the blank carefully and look for context clues.
• Consider the words immediately before and after the blank.
• Evaluate each option based on grammar (parts of speech, verb tense, subject-verb agreement, prepositions) and meaning (vocabulary and context).
• Sometimes, filling one blank might help you figure out another.
• Reread the completed passage to ensure it makes sense logically and grammatically.