Understanding the Butterfly Passage and Blank 2

The question asks us to complete a passage about butterflies by filling in missing words. We need to choose the most suitable word from the given options for blank number 2.

Let's look at the passage again with the blanks:

Butterflies (1) ______ body parts. The head, the thorax and the abdomen. They have four wings and six legs attached to the thorax. The colours and patterns (2) ______ a butterfly’s wings (3) ______ them to blend (4) ______ its surrounding and protects it from its predators. Proboscis helps (5) ______ from the flowers.

We are focusing on blank number 2. The phrase around blank 2 is "The colours and patterns (2) ______ a butterfly’s wings". We need a word that shows the relationship between the colours/patterns and the butterfly's wings. The colours and patterns are located on the surface of the wings.

Analyzing the Options for Blank 2

Let's consider each option:

• Option 1: 'at' - If we use 'at', the phrase becomes "The colours and patterns at a butterfly’s wings". While 'at' can indicate location, it's less commonly used for something spread across a surface like wings.
• Option 2: 'up' - If we use 'up', the phrase becomes "The colours and patterns up a butterfly’s wings". 'Up' usually indicates direction or position relative to something below, which doesn't fit the context of colours on a surface.
• Option 3: 'on' - If we use 'on', the phrase becomes "The colours and patterns on a butterfly’s wings". 'On' is used to describe something located on a surface. Colours and patterns are indeed present on the surface of a butterfly's wings. This sounds grammatically correct and natural.
• Option 4: 'in' - If we use 'in', the phrase becomes "The colours and patterns in a butterfly’s wings". 'In' is typically used for something contained within a space or volume. While colors are part of the wing structure, 'on' is the standard preposition when referring to surface patterns visible externally.

Determining the Most Appropriate Word

Based on the analysis, the word that best describes the location of the colours and patterns relative to the butterfly's wings is 'on'. The colours and patterns are situated on the surface of the wings.

Let's see how the sentence reads with 'on':

"The colours and patterns on a butterfly’s wings..."

This sentence structure is grammatically sound and conveys the intended meaning clearly.

Therefore, the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 2 is 'on'.

Step-by-Step Thinking

1. Read the sentence containing blank 2: "The colours and patterns (2) ______ a butterfly’s wings..."
2. Identify the relationship being described: the location of colours and patterns on the wings.
3. Consider the preposition options provided: 'at', 'up', 'on', 'in'.
4. Evaluate each option to see which one correctly describes something being present on a surface like wings.
5. 'On' is the standard preposition used to describe something located on a surface.
6. Confirm that using 'on' results in a grammatically correct and meaningful sentence segment.
7. Select 'on' as the correct answer for blank 2.

Revision Table: Key Concepts

Additional Information: Butterfly Camouflage

The passage mentions that the colours and patterns on a butterfly's wings help them blend into their surroundings and protect them from predators. This is a form of camouflage.

• Camouflage: The ability of an animal to blend in with its environment, making it harder for predators or prey to spot them.
• How it works for butterflies: The patterns and colours can mimic leaves, bark, or flowers, allowing the butterfly to hide when resting. Some patterns, like large eye-spots, can also startle or confuse predators.
• Predators: Animals that hunt and kill other animals for food, such as birds, lizards, and spiders.

Understanding the function described in the passage reinforces why the location of these protective patterns - on the wings - is important.