Question

Water is one of the few molecules that is less (i)_____________ as a solid than as a (ii)____________ ; if you need (iii)____________ , just look at the floating ice in your water glass. Blank (i) a. intriguing b. dense c. aqueous Blank (ii) a. vapor b. plasma c. liquid Blank (iii) a. an illustration b. an imbibement c. a discordance

Short answer

Blank (i) - 'dense', Blank (ii) - 'liquid', Blank (iii) - 'an illustration'

Step-by-step solution

- Identify the Property of Water

Understand that water has a unique property. As it freezes and becomes a solid (in the form of ice), it is less dense than when it is in a liquid state. This principle explains why ice floats on water.

- Fill in Blank (i)

With this understanding, it can be deduced that the word to fill in Blank (i) must refer to this property of being 'less something as a solid'. The only option here that fits is 'dense' because it relates to the characteristic being discussed. Therefore, the correct fill for Blank (i) is 'dense'.

- Fill in Blank (ii)

The phrase preceding Blank (ii) refers to 'a solid'. This sets up a comparison, so the word must be a different state of matter than solid. Considering the available options, the correct choice is 'liquid' because water is denser as a liquid than as a solid.

- Fill in Blank (iii)

For Blank (iii), the sentence makes it clear that you are expected to visualize a common observation that illustrates the property of water specified in Blank (i). The word that fits best here is 'an illustration' as it refers to a representation or example of the mentioned situation.