In the following question, some of the words in the passage have been left out. Read the passage carefully and select the correct answer for the given blank out of the four alternatives.
The REM (Rapid Eye Movement) cycle is a sleep stage (1)_____ by rapid eye movements, low muscle tone throughout the body, and vivid dreaming. It is a deeply fascinating stage of our sleep that plays a (2)_____ role in brain development and mental health. During a normal night, our body cycles through different sleep stages every ninety minutes. REM sleep is the final stage of this cycle, occurring mostly in the early morning hours. It gets its name because our eyes rapidly dart back and forth behind our closed eyelids, signalling (3)_____ brain activity. To protect us from physically acting out these wild dreams and hurting ourselves, our brain temporarily (4)_____ our major muscles. This temporary lockdown is called muscle atonia. Neurologists view the REM cycle as the brain's ultimate overnight cleanup crew; it (5)_____ our daily emotions, sharpens our memory, and stores everything we learned during the day.
What should come in blank 1?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
Correct Answer: Characterised
Explanation
• Characterised by means to be marked, defined, or distinguished by a particular feature or quality.
• The sentence describes the distinctive traits of the REM stage—rapid eye movements, low muscle tone, and vivid dreaming. Therefore, characterised is the most fitting word contextually and grammatically.Word | Meaning
Characterised | Distinguished or identified by typical features
Simplified | Made easier or less complex
Criticised | Expressed disapproval of
Threatened | Stated an intention to inflict harm