Section I Use of English

Directions:

Read the following text. Choose the best word(s) for each numbered blank and mark A, B, C or D on the ANSWER SHEET. (10 points)

The idea that plants have some degree of consciousness first took root in the early 2000s. The term “plant neurobiology” was 1 around the notion that some aspects of plant behavior could be 2 to intelligence in animals. 3 plants lack brains, the firing of electrical signals in their stems and leaves nonetheless triggered responses that 4 consciousness, researchers previously reported.

But such an idea is untrue, according to a new opinion article. Plant biology is complex and fascinating, but it 5 so greatly from that of animals that so-called 6 of plants' intelligence is inconclusive, the authors wrote.

Beginning in 2006, some scientists have 7 that plants possess neuron-like cells that interact with hormones and neurotransmitters, 8 “a plant nervous system, 9 to that in animals,” said lead study author Lincoln Taiz. “They 10 claimed that plants have ‘brain-like command centers’ at their root tips.”

This 11 makes sense if you simplify the workings of a complex brain, 12 it to an array of electrical pulses; cells in plants also communicate through electrical signals. 13 , the signaling in a plant is only 14 similar to the firing in a complex animal brain, which is more than “a mass of cells that communicate by electricity,” Taiz said.

“For consciousness to evolve, a brain with a threshold 15 of complexity and capacity is required,” he 16 . “Since plants don't have nervous systems, the 17 that they have consciousness are effectively zero.”

And what's so great about consciousness, anyway? Plants can't run away from 18 , so investing energy in a body system which 19 a threat and can feel pain would be a very 20 evolutionary strategy, according to the article.

1. [A] coined

[B] discovered

[C] collected

[D] issued

2. [A] attributed

[B] directed

[C] compared

[D] confined

3. [A] Unless

[B] When

[C] Once

[D] Though

4. [A] coped with

[B] consisted of

[C] hinted at

[D] extended to

5. [A] suffers

[B] benefits

[C] develops

[D] differs

6. [A] acceptance

[B] evidence

[C] cultivation

[D] creation

7. [A] doubted

[B] denied

[C] argued

[D] requested

8. [A] adapting

[B] forming

[C] repairing

[D] testing

9. [A] analogous

[B] essential

[C] suitable

[D] sensitive

10. [A] just

[B] ever

[C] still

[D] even

11. [A] restriction

[B] experiment

[C] perspective

[D] demand

12. [A] attaching

[B] reducing

[C] returning

[D] exposing

13. [A] However

[B] Moreover

[C] Therefore

[D] Otherwise

14. [A] temporarily

[B] literally

[C] superficially

[D] imaginarily

15. [A] list

[B] level

[C] label

[D] load

16. [A] recalled

[B] agreed

[C] questioned

[D] added

17. [A] chances

[B] risks

[C] excuses

[D] assumptions

18. [A] danger

[B] failure

[C] warning

[D] control

19. [A] represents

[B] includes

[C] reveals

[D] recognizes

20. [A] humble

[B] poor

[C] practical

[D] easy gQ/vSoIVvThdFWdPCaRbHa1gxfIQlbLdHZ8wmsUhbD1g+N5fKqtATl18XBm9YaNr