# PTE Reading FIB #41: Global Demographic Trends...

Reading: Fill in the Blanks #41 - Level 1 - Feeds Reading

> In the text below some words are missing. Drag word from the box below to the appropriate place in the text. To undo an answer choice, drag the word back to the box below the text.

In only 11 years, the worldwide human population has ____ by another one billion. For comparison, it took humans roughly 300,000 years since we first ____ to reach the first billion. The challenge of this phenomenon is providing a gold standard to each and every one of human beings in a ____ manner.

## Answer

In only 11 years, the worldwide human population has **swelled** by another one billion. For comparison, it took humans roughly 300,000 years since we first **evolved** to reach the first billion. The challenge of this phenomenon is providing a gold standard to each and every one of human beings in a **sustainable** manner.

## Explanation

Blank 1 needs a past participle after "has" that means grew, so "has swelled by another one billion" fits. "Diminishing" is the wrong form and the opposite idea. In blank 3, "in a ___ manner" takes an adjective, and only "sustainable" matches supporting everyone over the long term.

## Hints

- Look at the verb tense and the surrounding nouns to see which words logically complete the sentence structure.
- Consider the overall theme of population growth and the difficulty of maintaining resources over time.

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