Complete the passage by filling in the blanks with the most appropriate words.
Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It is characterized by episodes of wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness, which occur when the airways become inflamed and constricted. The exact cause of asthma remains unclear, but it is believed to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Certain triggers, such as dust, pollen, pet dander, and air pollution, can A asthma symptoms, making it difficult for sufferers to breathe.
Choose the correct word to fill in blank (A) and complete the sentence.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
Correct Answer
trigger
Explanation
The correct word to fill in blank (A) is "trigger." In the context of the passage, irritating factors like dust, pollen, and air pollution act as catalysts that spark or worsen asthma symptoms. The sentence itself explicitly refers to these substances as "Certain triggers" earlier in the same line, making "trigger" the logically matching verb.
The remaining choices mean the opposite of what the context requires. Words like relieve, prevent, and treat all describe actions that decrease, stop, or heal asthma symptoms, whereas dust and pollution undeniably worsen them.
Key Point
Cloze tests often embed the answer directly within the surrounding context clues. Because the text explicitly labels dust and pollen as "triggers," the sentence structurally requires the matching verb "trigger" to complete the thought.