TOEFL
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Complete the text with the missing letters.
TOEFL Reading Complete the Words Practice #031 - Social Capital in Networks
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“Merely” is an adverb meaning “only” or “simply.” In “not merely to the number of people they know,” it limits the rejected idea: social capital is not simply the size of a person’s network. The pattern “not merely” also signals that the definition is broader than what follows.
“Sustain” is a plural-form verb agreeing with the subject “networks.” It means maintain or keep something going, so “networks sustain trust” explains how relationships preserve the qualities needed for social capital to develop.
“Mutual” is an adjective modifying the noun “understanding.” “Mutual understanding” is a common combination meaning understanding shared by the people involved. It also fits the parallel list of nouns supported by networks: “trust, mutual understanding, and shared values.”
“Expected” is the past participle needed in the passive construction “is expected.” The clause means that people may assist one another even when they do not anticipate receiving an immediate reward.
“Describes” is the singular present-tense verb agreeing with the singular subject “Bonding social capital.” It introduces a definition: this type of social capital consists of tight connections among people who are already close.
“Relatives” is a plural noun paired with “close friends” after “among.” Both nouns name people likely to have tight, bonding connections. The plural form is appropriate because the passage discusses connections among groups of people.
“Emotional” is an adjective modifying “support.” The phrase “emotional support” identifies help with feelings and personal difficulties, which close ties can provide “during difficult periods.”
“Bridging” completes the category name “Bridging social capital.” It contrasts with “Bonding social capital”: bonding concerns tight ties within a close group, whereas bridging links colleagues, neighbors, and people from different backgrounds. The capital letter is appropriate because the word begins the sentence.
“Cultural” is an adjective modifying the plural noun “backgrounds.” The phrase “different cultural backgrounds” supports the idea of bridging because it refers to connections across social or cultural groups.
“Necessarily” is an adverb modifying “indicate.” In “does not necessarily indicate trust,” it means that a large network does not always prove that trust exists. The phrase “not necessarily” warns against treating network size as certain evidence of relationship quality.