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Reading samples

Reading · Approved worked passage

Carrying Water Across Roman Valleys

Read the passage, then compare each keyed choice with the authored explanation.

Task
Complete the Words
Domain
engineering history
Length
94 words
Published

Passage

Level 4

Roman engineers built aqu____ to bring fresh water from distant hills into crowded cities. The channels sloped downward at a gentle, carefully calculated gra____ so that gra____ alone kept the water flowing. Where a valley int____ the route, workers raised tall stone arches to support the con____ high above the ground. Skilled sur____ used simple lev____ tools to measure the slope across many miles. Inside the channel, a wat____ lining pre____ leaks and kept the supply clean. On arrival, the water fed public fountains, private homes, and eno____ heated baths that citizens visited daily.

Worked answers

Why each choice works or misses

10 questions
  1. Question 1

    Vocabulary In Context · Level 4

    Complete the partially missing word gra____.

    • A. gravity
    • BB. granular
    • CC. grateful
    • DD. gravel

    Why A is correct

    'Gravity' alone kept the water flowing downhill.

    Why the other choices miss

    B
    'Granular' describes texture, not a force.
    C
    'Grateful' is an emotion and does not move water.
    D
    'Gravel' is small stones, not the force keeping water flowing.
  2. Question 2

    Vocabulary In Context · Level 4

    Complete the partially missing word wat____.

    • A. waterproof
    • BB. watering
    • CC. waterfall
    • DD. watchful

    Why A is correct

    A 'waterproof' lining prevented leaks in the channel.

    Why the other choices miss

    B
    'Watering' is a verb form and misfits the noun phrase.
    C
    'Waterfall' is a falling stream, not a lining.
    D
    'Watchful' means alert and cannot describe a lining.
  3. Question 3

    Vocabulary In Context · Level 4

    Complete the partially missing word int____.

    • AA. intern
    • B. interrupted
    • CC. internal
    • DD. interested

    Why B is correct

    A valley 'interrupted' the route, meaning it broke the path.

    Why the other choices miss

    A
    'Intern' is a trainee and is irrelevant.
    C
    'Internal' is an adjective and does not work as this verb.
    D
    'Interested' is an emotion and does not fit a valley.
  4. Question 4

    Vocabulary In Context · Level 4

    Complete the partially missing word pre____.

    • A. prevented
    • BB. preferred
    • CC. prepared
    • DD. presented

    Why A is correct

    The lining 'prevented' leaks, meaning it stopped them.

    Why the other choices miss

    B
    'Preferred' means chose and does not fit stopping leaks.
    C
    'Prepared' means got ready and does not mean stop.
    D
    'Presented' means showed and is illogical for leaks.
  5. Question 5

    Morphology In Context · Level 4

    Complete the partially missing word lev____.

    • AA. levying
    • B. leveling
    • CC. levitate
    • DD. levers

    Why B is correct

    'Leveling tools' measure whether a surface is flat or sloped.

    Why the other choices miss

    A
    'Levying' means imposing a tax and is irrelevant.
    C
    'Levitate' means to float and does not fit.
    D
    'Levers' are bars for lifting, not slope-measuring tools here.
  6. Question 6

    Vocabulary In Context · Level 4

    Complete the partially missing word con____.

    • AA. consent
    • B. conduit
    • CC. concert
    • DD. conduct

    Why B is correct

    A 'conduit' is the channel the arches support high above ground.

    Why the other choices miss

    A
    'Consent' means permission and is irrelevant.
    C
    'Concert' is a musical event, not a water channel.
    D
    'Conduct' as a noun means behavior and does not carry water.
  7. Question 7

    Vocabulary In Context · Level 4

    Complete the partially missing word gra____.

    • AA. grammar
    • BB. granite
    • CC. grateful
    • D. gradient

    Why D is correct

    A 'gradient' is the calculated downward slope of the channel.

    Why the other choices miss

    A
    'Grammar' concerns language and is irrelevant.
    B
    'Granite' is a rock, not a slope value.
    C
    'Grateful' is an emotion adjective and does not fit.
  8. Question 8

    Word Completion Context · Level 4

    Complete the partially missing word aqu____.

    • AA. aquarium
    • BB. aquifer
    • CC. aquatic
    • D. aqueducts

    Why D is correct

    'Aqueducts' are the water-carrying structures Romans built.

    Why the other choices miss

    A
    'Aquarium' is a fish tank, not a city water channel.
    B
    'Aquifer' is underground rock storing water, not a built structure.
    C
    'Aquatic' is an adjective and cannot be the object built.
  9. Question 9

    Vocabulary In Context · Level 4

    Complete the partially missing word sur____.

    • A. surveyors
    • BB. surface
    • CC. surplus
    • DD. surrender

    Why A is correct

    'Surveyors' measured the slope using leveling tools.

    Why the other choices miss

    B
    'Surface' is a noun for the top of something, not the workers.
    C
    'Surplus' means excess and does not name people.
    D
    'Surrender' means to give up and is irrelevant.
  10. Question 10

    Vocabulary In Context · Level 4

    Complete the partially missing word eno____.

    • AA. enormity
    • BB. enormously
    • C. enormous
    • DD. enough

    Why C is correct

    'Enormous heated baths' were the large public bathhouses citizens used.

    Why the other choices miss

    A
    'Enormity' is a noun and cannot modify 'heated baths' as an adjective.
    B
    'Enormously' is an adverb and cannot fill the adjective slot.
    D
    'Enough' is a quantifier and reads awkwardly before 'heated baths.'

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