# PTE RW FIB #10: Canine Behavioral Training...

Reading & Writing: Fill in the Blanks #10 - Level 1 - Feeds Reading

> Below is a text with blanks. Click on each blank, a list of choice will appear. Select the appropriate answer choice for each blank.

Unlike traditional dog trainers, Alice Thompson doesn't believe in dominance or punishment. Instead, she uses "empathetic communication" to understand and address the ____ of a dog's behavioral issues. Affectionately known as the "Dog Whisperer Down Under," she traverses Australia, aiding families grappling with anxious pups, destructive chewers, and even aggressive canines. "Dogs aren't ____ bad," she points out, "they simply lack the ability to effectively ____ their needs." Through her calm, assertive demeanor and keen observation skills, Alice ____ trust with the dogs, teaching them alternative behaviors through positive reinforcement. Her success stories have garnered a devoted following, solidifying the notion that understanding, not force, is the ____ to unlocking a dog's true potential, fostering harmonious relationships between humans and their canine companions.

## Answer

Unlike traditional dog trainers, Alice Thompson doesn't believe in dominance or punishment. Instead, she uses "empathetic communication" to understand and address the **root** of a dog's behavioral issues. Affectionately known as the "Dog Whisperer Down Under," she traverses Australia, aiding families grappling with anxious pups, destructive chewers, and even aggressive canines. "Dogs aren't **inherently** bad," she points out, "they simply lack the ability to effectively **communicate** their needs." Through her calm, assertive demeanor and keen observation skills, Alice **builds** trust with the dogs, teaching them alternative behaviors through positive reinforcement. Her success stories have garnered a devoted following, solidifying the notion that understanding, not force, is the **key** to unlocking a dog's true potential, fostering harmonious relationships between humans and their canine companions.

## Explanation

1. root Context: "...to understand and address the root of a dog's behavioral issues." Explanation: "Root" refers to the underlying cause or origin of a problem. It's a precise term often used in psychology and behavior training to indicate that the focus is on solving the source of the issue, not just the symptoms. 2. inherently Context: "Dogs aren't inherently bad..." Explanation: "Inherently" means by nature or essentially. It emphasizes that bad behavior is not a natural trait in dogs, but a result of unmet needs or miscommunication. 3. communicate Context: "...they simply lack the ability to effectively communicate their needs." Explanation: "Communicate" fits perfectly here to describe how dogs struggle to express themselves, reinforcing the idea that behavior is often a form of misunderstood communication. 4. builds Context: "Alice builds trust with the dogs..." Explanation: "Builds" is used metaphorically to indicate the gradual development of trust. It's ideal in training contexts where relationships are strengthened over time through consistency and empathy. 5. key Context: "...understanding, not force, is the key to unlocking a dog's true potential..." Explanation: "Key" means the essential element or solution. It's a metaphor often used to describe the most important factor in achieving a goal -- in this case, effective and compassionate dog training.

What to watch: Blank 3 follows "the ability to effectively," so you need the base verb after "to." Only "communicate" works. "Communicates," "communicating," and "have communicated" break the infinitive. In blank 5, "the key to" is a fixed phrase, so "point" and "source" do not fit.

## Hints

- Focus on the surrounding words to determine if you need a noun, verb, or adverb.
- Consider the overall theme of the passage: empathy and understanding versus force.

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