Comprehension:
In the following passage, some words have been deleted. Read the passage carefully and select the most appropriate option to fill in each blank.
Most people are petrified of snakes and (1)_______ good reason. For thousands of years, snakes have (2)_______ the reputation of being venomous and lethal. But in (3)_______ snakes are even more scared of us than the other way (4)_______ and would rather wiggle away from us (5)_______ possible.
Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank no. 2.
- Abuilding
- Bbuilt up
- Cbuild in
- Dbuild on
Solution & Step-by-step Explanation
The passage utilizes the present perfect tense ("snakes have ______"). The phrasal verb "built up" means to gradually accumulate or develop something over a long period. Thus, "have built up the reputation" fits contextually and grammatically.