Directions (1-10) : In the following passage there are blanks, each of which has been numbered. These numbers are printed below the passage and against each, five words/phrases are suggested, one of which best fits the blank appropriately. Find out the appropriate word/phrase in each case.

When we sit down for a meal of market bought products, we like to think we’re getting a reasonable __(1)__ of the body’s nutrient requirements, but studies show that because of our chemical intensive farming, the food that we have, does not __(2)__ the vital nutrients that our ancestors enjoyed. Plants __(3)__ with the help of soluble chemical fertilizers get lazy and do not develop the deep, healthy root systems that pull additional elements out of the __(4)__. In addition, the micro organisms that break down organic matter and minerals to be taken up by plant roots are __(5)__ by chemical bombardment and violent mechanized manipulation of their environment. Essentially, we’re getting robbed, and having to pay for it in __(6)__ health, energy, longevity, and advancing medical bills. Unfortunately, agriculture’s single minded focus on increasing __(7)__ at any cost over the last half-century created a blind spot where rapid __(8)__ of the nutritional quality of our food has occurred. This decline has been observed to be quite __(9)__ in some crops but has sadly gone largely __(10)__ by scientists, tanners, government and consumers.

1.
a) yield
b) number
c) amount
d) deficiency
e) strength

2.
a) grow
b) specify
c) inhabit
d) cultivate
e) contain

3.
a) growing
b) eaten
c) suffering
d) arising
e) rising

4.
a) pesticides
b) plants
c) food
d) soil
e) crop

5.
a) increased
b) absorbed
c) added
d) wounded
e) killed

6.
a) improving
b) declining
c) better
d) simplifying
e) defective

7.
a) yields
b) fertilizers
c) chemicals
d) quality
e) soil

8.
a) immigration
b) improvement
c) return
d) progression
e) deterioration

9.
a) more
b) inadequate
c) significant
d) inferior
e) resistant

10.
a) improved
b) unnoticed
c) eradicated
d) alarming
e) unaware