In the following passage, some words have been deleted. Read the passage carefully and select the most appropriate option to fill in each blank. 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.
Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 3.
help
Understanding the Passage and Blank 3
The passage describes the basic anatomy of butterflies and the function of their wing colours and patterns. We need to choose the most appropriate word to fill in blank number 3.
Let's look at the sentence containing blank 3:
"The colours and patterns (2) ______ a butterfly’s wings (3) ______ them to blend (4) ______ its surrounding and protects it from its predators."
We are focusing on blank number 3. The sentence explains that the colours and patterns on the wings perform an action related to blending into the surroundings and protection from predators. The options for blank 3 are "rescue", "help", "improve", and "save".
Analyzing the Options for Blank 3
Let's consider each option in the context of the sentence:
- rescue: To rescue means to save someone or something from a dangerous or unpleasant situation. While the colours offer protection, they don't actively "rescue" the butterfly in this sense. The word doesn't fit the ongoing function of the patterns.
- help: To help means to make it easier or possible for someone to do something. The colours and patterns make it easier for the butterfly to blend in and protect itself. This fits the context well.
- improve: To improve means to make something better. The colours and patterns don't necessarily "improve" the butterfly itself in this context, but rather serve a function.
- save: To save can mean to protect from danger or destruction. Similar to "rescue," while protection is involved, "save" implies an action taken during a specific threat, not the continuous function of camouflage. "Help" is a better fit for describing how the patterns enable blending and protection.
Selecting the Best Fit for Blank 3
Considering the options, the word "help" best describes the role of the colours and patterns on a butterfly's wings. They don't rescue, improve, or typically save in the way those words are most commonly used here. Instead, they facilitate or assist the butterfly in blending in and avoiding predators. The phrase "help them to blend" is a common and correct construction.
Therefore, the most appropriate option to fill blank number 3 is "help".
Contextual Understanding
The sentence describes camouflage and defence mechanisms in butterflies. The colours and patterns are adaptations that increase the butterfly's chances of survival by making it harder for predators to spot them. This function is accurately described by saying the patterns "help" the butterfly blend in.
| Option | Meaning | Fit in Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| rescue | Save from danger | Doesn't fit the continuous function |
| help | Make it easier/possible | Fits the function of enabling camouflage and protection |
| improve | Make better | Doesn't describe the functional role |
| save | Protect from danger | Less appropriate than 'help' for the ongoing role of camouflage |
Revision Table: Butterfly Anatomy and Adaptations
| Body Part | Description/Function |
|---|---|
| Head | Contains eyes, antennae, and proboscis. |
| Thorax | Midsection where wings ($\text{four}$) and legs ($\text{six}$) are attached. |
| Abdomen | Posterior section containing digestive and reproductive organs. |
| Wings | Covered in tiny scales that create colours and patterns. Used for flight. |
| Legs | Used for walking and tasting (taste receptors are on their feet). |
| Proboscis | A long, tube-like mouthpart used for sipping nectar from flowers. |
| Colours & Patterns | Used for camouflage (blending), mimicry (looking like dangerous species), and sometimes warning predators. |
Additional Information: Butterfly Life Cycle and Behaviour
Butterflies undergo complete metamorphosis, which includes four stages: egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa (chrysalis), and adult butterfly.
- Life Cycle:
- Egg: Laid on specific host plants that the caterpillar will eat.
- Larva (Caterpillar): Primary job is to eat and grow. Molts several times.
- Pupa (Chrysalis): A resting stage where the caterpillar transforms into a butterfly.
- Adult Butterfly: Emerges from the chrysalis, its main goals are to feed on nectar and reproduce.
- Feeding: Adult butterflies primarily feed on liquid nectar from flowers using their proboscis.
- Migration: Some butterfly species, like the Monarch butterfly, undertake long migrations over vast distances.
- Defence: Besides camouflage and mimicry using wing patterns, some butterflies taste bad to predators if they have consumed toxic plants as caterpillars.
Similar Questions
Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 1.
Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 2.
Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 3.
Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 4.
Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 5.
Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 1.
Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 2.
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Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 5.
Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 1.
Important Questions from Cloze Test
What would come in place of 1
What would come in place of 2
What would come in place of 3
What would come in place of 4
What would come in place of 5
