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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