English Language · English

Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number (5) in the following passage. To avoid the various foolish opinions which mankind holds, no superhuman genius is required. A few simple rules will keep you, not from all error, but from silly error. If the matter is one that can be (1) ______ by observation, make the observation yourself. Aristotle could have avoided the mistake of (2) ______ that women have fewer teeth than men, by the simple de vice of asking Mrs Aristotle to keep her mouth open while he (3) ______. He did not do so because he thought he knew. Thinking that you know when in fact you don't is a fatal mistake, to which we are all (4) ______. I believe myself that hedgehogs eat black beetles, because I have been told that they do; but if I were writing a book on the habits of hedgehogs, I should not (5) ______ myself until I had seen one enjoying this unappetizing diet...