Direction: Each of the following sentences in this section has a blank space with four-word or a group of words given. Select whichever word or group of words you consider the most appropriate for the blank space and indicate your response on the answer sheet accordingly. The difficult thing about (1)_________the science of habits is that most people when they hear about this field of research (2)______ to know the secret formula for quickly changing any habit. If scientists have discovered how (3)______ patterns work, then it stands to reason that they (4)________ have also found a recipe for rapid change, right? if only it (5)_________ that easy. It's not (6)________ formulas don't exist. The problem is that there isn't one formula for (7)_________ habits. There are thousands. Individuals and habits are (8)_________ different and so the specifics of diagnosing and changing the patterns in our lives differ from person to (9)________ and behaviour to behaviour. Giving up cigarettes is different (10)________ curbing overeating, which is different from changing how you communicate with your spouse, (11)_______ is different from how you prioritize tasks at work. What's more, each person's habits are (12)______ by different cravings. As a result, this book does not (13)________ one prescription, Rather, I hoped to deliver something else: a framework for understanding (14)_________ habits work and a guide to experimenting with how they (15)________ change. Some habits yield easily to analysis and influence. Others are (16)______ complex and obstinate and require prolonged study. And for others, change is a (17)_______ that never fully concludes. But that does not (18)_______ it can't occur. Each chapter in this book explains a different aspect of why habits exist and how they function. The framework (19)___________ in this section is an attempt to distill, in (20)_________ very basic way, the tactics that researchers have found for diagnosing and shaping habits within our own lives.
What would come in place of 1
studying
Understanding Sentence Structure to Fill the Blank
The question asks us to select the most appropriate word or group of words to fill in blank (1) in the given passage about the science of habits. Let's look at the sentence containing the blank:
"The difficult thing about (1)_________ the science of habits is that most people when they hear about this field of research..."
We need to determine which of the options best fits grammatically and contextually after the word "about". The word "about" is a preposition. Prepositions are typically followed by:
- A noun or pronoun (the object of the preposition)
- A gerund (a verb form ending in -ing, used as a noun)
Let's examine the options provided for blank (1):
- studying
- study
- studies
- are studying
We need a word that acts as a noun or gerund to be the object of the preposition "about" in the phrase "about _______ the science of habits".
- Option 1, "studying", is a gerund. A gerund functions like a noun. The phrase "about studying the science of habits" means "about the act of studying the science of habits". This is grammatically correct and makes sense in the context of discussing the difficulties related to this field of research.
- Option 2, "study", can be a noun or a verb. If used as a noun here ("about study the science of habits"), it doesn't fit the structure naturally. If used as a verb, it's incorrect after a preposition in this way.
- Option 3, "studies", can be a plural noun or a third-person singular verb. If used as a noun ("about studies the science of habits"), it doesn't fit grammatically with "the science of habits" following it. If used as a verb, it's incorrect after the preposition "about" in this structure.
- Option 4, "are studying", is part of a verb phrase (present continuous tense). It cannot follow the preposition "about" directly in this structure.
Based on the grammatical structure and the meaning of the sentence, the only option that correctly follows the preposition "about" and fits the context is the gerund "studying". The sentence describes a difficult aspect related to the process of studying the science of habits.
Analyzing the Correct Option: Studying Habits
The sentence discusses the challenges encountered when dealing with the "science of habits". The difficult thing isn't the science itself, but rather the activity of learning or researching it, which is what "studying" implies. The construction "about + gerund" is a standard grammatical structure used to talk about an activity.
Therefore, the word "studying" correctly completes the phrase, indicating the action or activity that is difficult when it comes to the science of habits.
Conclusion for Blank (1)
The word that fits best in blank (1) is "studying". The completed phrase is "about studying the science of habits".
The final answer is studying.
| Option | Type | Fit in sentence ("about _____ the science of habits") | Grammatical Correctness |
|---|---|---|---|
| studying | Gerund | about studying the science of habits | Correct |
| study | Noun/Verb | about study the science of habits | Incorrect |
| studies | Noun/Verb | about studies the science of habits | Incorrect |
| are studying | Verb Phrase | about are studying the science of habits | Incorrect |
Revision Table: Understanding Gerunds
| Rule | Example |
|---|---|
| Preposition + Gerund | Thank you for helping me. |
| Preposition + Gerund | He is good at solving problems. |
| Preposition + Gerund | She is afraid of flying. |
| Preposition + Gerund | We talked about visiting them. |
Additional Information: The Science of Habits
The passage discusses the science of habits, which is a field of research focused on understanding how habits are formed, function, and can be changed. Key concepts in this field often include the habit loop (cue, routine, reward), the role of cravings, and the difference in how habits manifest and can be altered from person to person.
Changing habits is often presented as a complex process because individuals and their specific habits are unique. There isn't a single universal formula that works for everyone or for every habit. Instead, understanding the underlying mechanisms (the framework) and experimenting with different strategies is often necessary.
This field draws on psychology, neuroscience, and behavioral economics to provide insights into human behavior patterns.
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