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Question

Difficulty: EasyWords in Context: High-Utility Vocabulary

Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?

Answer:Unlike most owl species that nest in high tree branches, the burrowing owl (*Athene cunicularia*) lives in underground tunnels. Because they rarely dig these structures themselves, the owls typically seek out and occupy subterranean shelters that have been 【abandoned】 by other animals, such as prairie dogs or tortoises, that no longer inhabit them.

Answer

abandoned
The sentence notes that the burrowing owls occupy shelters created by other animals 'that no longer inhabit them.' This indicates that the original occupants have left the shelters. Therefore, the word 'abandoned' (or its synonyms 'deserted' and 'vacated') is the most logical and precise word to describe these shelters.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the context of the sentence containing the blank.
The sentence explains that burrowing owls occupy underground shelters created by other animals (like prairie dogs or tortoises) 'that no longer inhabit them.'
Understanding the relationship between the owls and the previous occupants is key to identifying the correct word.
2
Determine the meaning required for the blank.
Since the other animals 'no longer inhabit' these shelters, the shelters must have been left behind or given up by those animals.
The correct word must precisely mean left behind or empty after being occupied.
3
Identify high-utility vocabulary words that fit this meaning and the grammatical context.
The word 'abandoned' (or synonyms like 'deserted' or 'vacated') fits both the context and the passive verb structure ('have been abandoned by').
Confirming grammatical alignment and semantic precision ensures the final choice is correct.

Key Concept

Identifying high-utility academic words that are semantically and grammatically precise in context.
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Topics

Words in Context: High-Utility Vocabulary

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