The güiro, a musical instrument traditionally made from a dried and hollowed gourd, is thought to have originated with the Taíno people of Puerto Rico. Players use a wooden stick to scrape along ridges cut into the side of the gourd, creating sounds that are highly ______: the sounds produced by güiros can differ based on the distance between the ridges, the types of strokes the player uses, and the thickness of the gourd.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
Explanation
Context: The güiro creates sounds that are "highly [blank]." The sounds produced "depend on the amount of pressure applied" and change constantly—changeable.
Answer: D) variable
Why? Changeable = inconsistent. Variable = changeable.
Traps:
- A) overlooked → means ignored, different
- B) powerful → means strong, different
- C) routine → means regular, opposite