Imagine wearing special glasses whose lenses made the deep ocean fully transparent, allowing you to observe the seas as they existed centuries ago — before widespread human exploitation began. Even the most (i)_____ observer would quickly notice that fish were far more abundant back then. Similarly, many now-depleted species of marine mammals would appear (ii)_____. Yet without such glasses, the differences between past and present oceans are genuinely hard to (iii)_____.
| Blank (i) | Blank (ii) | Blank (iii) |
|---|---|---|
| A. casual | D. threatened | G. ignore |
| B. prescient | E. plentiful | H. discern |
| C. clearheaded | F. unfamiliar | I. dismiss |
This three-blank question rewards careful reading of each clause.
Blank (i): The sentence argues that even someone not paying close attention would notice the historical difference in fish abundance. This is a rhetorical device lowering the bar — even the most casual (inattentive, uninterested) observer would see it. Using “prescient” (having foresight) or “clearheaded” would raise the bar rather than lower it, weakening the rhetorical effect.
Blank (ii): The passage envisions the past ocean as healthy and full. So those formerly abundant marine mammal species would appear plentiful (abundant, numerous). “Threatened” implies danger, contradicting the image of a healthy past ocean, and “unfamiliar” does not fit the logic.
Blank (iii): Without the magic glasses, we cannot easily perceive or recognize the difference between past and present oceans. Discern means to perceive or recognize clearly — perfect. “Ignore” and “dismiss” imply active rejection, not the passive difficulty of perception described.
Correct Answers: Blank (i) = A (casual), Blank (ii) = E (plentiful), Blank (iii) = H (discern).
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