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Para-Completion Questions
19. There is a sentence that is missing in the paragraph below. Look at the paragraph and decide in which blank (option 1, 2, 3, or 4) the following sentence would best fit.
Sentence: When people socially learn from each other, they often learn without understanding why what theyâre copyingâthe beliefs and behaviours and technologies and know-howâworks.
Paragraph: ___(1)___. The dual-inheritance theory âŚ.says....that inheritance is itself an evolutionary system. It has variation. What makes us a new kind of animal, and so different and successful as a species, is we rely heavily on social learning, to the point where socially acquired information is effectively a second line of inheritance, the first being our genesâŚ. ___(2)___. People tend to home in on who seems to be the smartest or most successful person around, as well as what everybody seems to be doingâthe majority of people have something worth learning. ___(3)___. When you repeat this process over time, you can get, around the world, cultural packagesâbeliefs or behaviours or technology or other solutionsâthat are adapted to the local conditions. People have different psychologies, effectively. ___(4)___.
âA. Option 1
B. Option 2
C. Option 3
D. Option 4
Solution with Explanation
Correct Answer: B
Detailed explanation by Wordpandit:It becomes evident upon examining the text that the given sentence isn't suitable to serve as the introductory sentence. The reason for this is that the first sentence already present in the paragraph is aptly structured to introduce the topic under discussion. Therefore, placing the given sentence at the beginning would be incongruent, as there is no direct thematic linkage between the two sentences that would make the given sentence a natural predecessor or successor to the existing first sentence.
In contrast, when considering the placement of the given sentence relative to the second blank, a compelling connection emerges. The sentence immediately preceding the second blank speaks about the importance of relying on social learning and socially acquired information. The given sentence effectively elaborates on this point by outlining the mechanisms or processes of social learning. Furthermore, the sentence that follows the second blank continues to explore the same theme, thereby forming a cohesive narrative segment.
Given these observations, it becomes clear that the most logical and coherent placement for the given sentence is in the position corresponding to the second blank. This allows for a seamless transition of ideas and adds depth to the discussion about social learning. Therefore, option 2 is the most appropriate location for the given sentence, making the correct answer choice B.
Word 1: Socially
Context:
"When people socially learn from each other, they often learn without understanding why what theyâre copyingâthe beliefs." - Provided Context
Explanatory Paragraph:
The word "socially" is an adverb that describes how something is done in relation to society, interaction, or community behavior. In the context provided, it means that people learn by observing others in their social environment, even if they donât fully grasp the reasoning behind the actions or beliefs they adopt. It highlights how social influence plays a vital role in learning and behavior transmission.
Meaning: In a manner relating to society or social interaction (Adverb)
Pronunciation: SO-shuh-lee
Difficulty Level: â Basic
Etymology: From Latin âsocialisâ meaning "of companionship, of allies; united, living with others". The suffix "-ly" turns it into an adverb.
Prashant Sir's Notes:
This word often appears in discussions related to human behavior, psychology, and cultural studies. It helps describe how people behave in groups, form habits, or follow norms, making it very useful in analytical writing.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: communally, publicly, collectively
Antonyms: privately, individually, solitarily
Usage Examples:
- He is socially awkward and finds group interactions difficult.
- Animals like wolves and elephants live socially in tightly bonded groups.
- The festival was an opportunity for the villagers to gather socially.
- Socially learned behaviors often shape cultural norms.
Cultural Reference:
"Man is by nature a social animal." - Aristotle. This classic quote underlines the deeply social nature of human existence and aligns with how we learn and evolve socially.
Think About It:
Do you think most of your beliefs are truly your own, or were they socially absorbed from your environment?
Quick Activity:
List three habits you picked up from friends or family without ever questioning them. Reflect on whether you still believe in them today.
Memory Tip:
Think âsocial + lyâ â how something happens in a social setting or involves other people. Socially = the way society interacts.
Real-World Application:
"Socially" is often used in discussions on behavior, marketing, education, and psychology. For example, marketers study how people behave socially to craft persuasive advertisements.
Word 2: Inheritance
Context:
"The dual-inheritance theory âŚ.says....that inheritance is itself an evolutionary system. It has variation." - Provided Context
Explanatory Paragraph:
Inheritance typically refers to the process by which traits, characteristics, or possessions are passed from one generation to the next. While it's often associated with genetics or legal transfer of property, in the context of the "dual-inheritance theory," the term expands to include both genetic inheritance and cultural inheritance. This theory suggests that behaviors, ideas, and beliefs can evolve and be passed on just like genes. Thus, "inheritance" here reflects the broader idea of how living beingsâespecially humansâtransmit both biological and cultural information over time.
Meaning: The act of receiving traits, qualities, or possessions passed from previous generations (Noun)
Pronunciation: in-HAIR-uh-tuns
Difficulty Level: ââ Intermediate
Etymology: From Latin âinheritare,â meaning "to make heir," related to the concept of passing something from one generation to another.
Prashant Sir's Notes:
This word plays a pivotal role in multiple domainsâlaw, biology, culture, and even programming. Its meaning shifts slightly depending on the context, but the core idea of transfer across generations remains consistent. Recognize these nuances while interpreting text.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: legacy, heritage, bequest, endowment
Antonyms: loss, forfeit, disinheritance
Usage Examples:
- She received a vast inheritance after her grandfather passed away.
- Our language and customs are a cultural inheritance from past generations.
- Genetic inheritance plays a major role in determining physical traits.
- The dual-inheritance theory explores how humans pass on both genes and culture.
Cultural Reference:
"Genetics loads the gun, and environment pulls the trigger." â This popular quote in behavioral science touches upon the influence of both biological and cultural inheritance in shaping human behavior.
Think About It:
Do you think cultural inheritance is as powerful as genetic inheritance in shaping who we are? Why or why not?
Quick Activity:
Make two lists: one for physical traits you inherited from your family, and another for traditions or values passed down to you. Compare their impact on your identity.
Memory Tip:
Think of âinheritanceâ as the âinner essenceâ passed onâwhether itâs money, eye color, or ideas. Itâs what you *inherit* from the past.
Real-World Application:
The term "inheritance" is crucial in fields like law (wills and estates), biology (genetics), culture (customs and languages), and even software development (object-oriented programming). Understanding its versatility helps in many interdisciplinary areas.
Word 3: Evolutionary
Context:
"The dual-inheritance theory âŚ.says....that inheritance is itself an evolutionary system." - Provided Context
Explanatory Paragraph:
"Evolutionary" is an adjective that describes anything related to the process of evolutionâgradual development or change over time. In the given context, it refers to the idea that inheritance (both genetic and cultural) operates within a system that evolves. That means it changes, adapts, and develops through generations. The term highlights how traits and ideas are not static but shift with time, shaped by survival, adaptation, and environmental interaction.
Meaning: Relating to or resulting from the process of gradual development or evolution (Adjective)
Pronunciation: eh-vuh-LOO-shuh-nair-ee
Difficulty Level: ââ Intermediate
Etymology: From the Latin word "evolutio" meaning "unrolling" or "unfolding", and later used in scientific contexts by Darwin and others to describe natural progression and adaptation over time.
Prashant Sir's Notes:
This is a cornerstone term in scientific vocabulary, especially in biology, anthropology, and cultural studies. The adjective "evolutionary" is used to frame systems or patterns that adapt or change with timeâalways think in terms of progress, adaptation, and timeline.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: progressive, adaptive, developmental, transformative
Antonyms: static, stagnant, fixed, unchanged
Usage Examples:
- Darwinâs theory describes the evolutionary process through natural selection.
- The evolutionary nature of language shows how words change meaning over time.
- Technology undergoes an evolutionary change as users demand more features.
- The dual-inheritance model treats culture as an evolutionary system, just like biology.
Cultural Reference:
âIt is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.â â often attributed to Darwin, this quote encapsulates the core of evolutionary thinking.
Think About It:
Can human behavior be explained entirely through evolutionary principles, or are there cultural factors that defy such patterns?
Quick Activity:
Identify one aspect of technology, culture, or education that has evolved significantly in the past 10 years. Describe what made it "evolutionary."
Memory Tip:
Think of "evolutionary" as âevolving every yearââa system or idea that keeps adapting and changing over time.
Real-World Application:
"Evolutionary" is widely used in scientific literature, business strategies ("evolutionary growth"), education reforms, and even in fashion trends. It helps describe any long-term adaptive process.
Word 4: Acquired
Context:
"...we rely heavily on social learning, to the point where socially acquired information is effectively a second line of inheritance, the first being our genes." - Provided Context
Explanatory Paragraph:
"Acquired" refers to something that is gained or obtained, rather than something you're born with. In the context provided, it describes information that people gain through social learning rather than through genetic inheritance. This emphasizes the importance of experience, environment, and communication in shaping human knowledge and behavior, adding a second channelâbeyond biologyâthrough which traits are passed on.
Meaning: Gained or developed through one's own actions, experience, or learning (Verb â Past participle of "acquire")
Pronunciation: uh-KWY-erd
Difficulty Level: ââ Intermediate
Etymology: From Latin âacquirere,â meaning âto get or gain,â formed from âad-â (to) + âquaerereâ (to seek).
Prashant Sir's Notes:
"Acquired" is crucial in understanding learning, behavior, and development. It distinguishes what is learned or earned from what is innate or inherited. In scientific, medical, and psychological contexts, this distinction often forms the basis of major theories (e.g., acquired traits vs. inherited traits).
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: gained, obtained, learned, earned
Antonyms: inherited, innate, inborn, natural
Usage Examples:
- He acquired fluency in Spanish during his stay in Mexico.
- Knowledge acquired through experience often lasts longer than textbook learning.
- The disease was acquired through contaminated water, not inherited genetically.
- Socially acquired behaviors are crucial to human culture and evolution.
Cultural Reference:
"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit." â Aristotle (paraphrased). This quote reinforces how behaviors and excellence are acquired through consistent action.
Think About It:
Do you believe that most of your abilities are acquired through effort and learning, or are they largely influenced by genetics?
Quick Activity:
Make a two-column list: one for skills or knowledge you've acquired and another for traits you believe you were born with. Compare and reflect on which list shapes your identity more.
Memory Tip:
Think of "acquired" as âacquired through actionââyou didnât always have it, but you got it through effort, learning, or exposure.
Real-World Application:
"Acquired" is frequently used in psychology, education, medicine, and business. For instance, an "acquired taste" refers to something you learn to like, while an "acquired skill" in the workplace can define your job readiness.
Word 5: Adapted
Context:
"...that are adapted to the local conditions. People have different psychologies, effectively." - Provided Context
Explanatory Paragraph:
"Adapted" means changed or modified in order to fit new conditions or environments. In this context, it refers to behaviors, traits, or thought patterns that have evolved or been shaped to suit specific local conditionsâlike climate, culture, or geography. It emphasizes human flexibility and how people develop unique responses depending on where they live or the challenges they face. So, being "adapted" is not just biological but psychological and cultural too.
Meaning: Changed or adjusted to be suitable for a new use or condition (Verb â Past participle of "adapt")
Pronunciation: uh-DAP-tid
Difficulty Level: ââ Intermediate
Etymology: From Latin âadaptare,â meaning "to adjust" or "fit to"; formed from âad-â (to) + âaptareâ (to fit).
Prashant Sir's Notes:
This word is powerful because it captures the essence of evolution, flexibility, and survival. Whether itâs species, ideas, or technology, adaptation signals resilience. Look for how itâs used to describe systems or people that evolve to stay relevant or functional.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: adjusted, modified, acclimated, tailored
Antonyms: unfit, unaltered, maladjusted, incompatible
Usage Examples:
- The plants are adapted to survive in extreme heat and drought.
- Her communication style is adapted to multicultural teams.
- The movie was adapted from a best-selling novel.
- Psychological tendencies can be adapted to local cultural norms.
Cultural Reference:
"It is not the strongest or the most intelligent who will survive but those who can best manage change." â Charles Darwin (paraphrased). This encapsulates the principle of being adapted to oneâs environment.
Think About It:
What is one personal trait or belief youâve adapted to better fit your environment or social circle?
Quick Activity:
List three habits you've had to adapt after moving to a new place, entering a new job, or joining a new group. What motivated those changes?
Memory Tip:
Think of "adapted" as "adding aptness"âmaking something more suitable or "apt" for the situation itâs in.
Real-World Application:
"Adapted" is commonly used in biology (adapted species), media (adapted screenplays), education (adapted learning plans), and even psychology. It's a key term in understanding human flexibility and survival.
