39. Select the word that correctly completes the following sentence: The intern was surprised by the ______ of pain he was in after his first day of work.
Answer: A
The intern was surprised by the amount of pain he was in after his first day of work.
The word "amount" accurately completes the sentence, indicating the level or degree of pain experienced by the intern.
A) amount
This option is correct because "amount" refers to the quantity or degree of something, which fits perfectly in the context of describing the extent of pain the intern felt after a demanding first day of work.
B) frequency
"Frequency" is incorrect in this context as it refers to how often something occurs, rather than the level or intensity of pain. The sentence requires a word that describes the intensity, not the rate.
C) number
While "number" might suggest a countable measure, it does not appropriately convey the level of pain. Pain is typically described in terms of its intensity or degree, making this option unsuitable.
D) amplitude
"Amplitude" is a technical term often used in physics to describe the extent of a wave's oscillation. In the context of pain, it is not commonly used to describe the experience; thus, it does not fit well in the sentence.
Conclusion
The correct answer, "amount," effectively communicates the intern's surprise at the degree of pain experienced after his first day, aligning with the context of the sentence. All other options fail to convey the appropriate meaning, focusing on aspects that do not relate to the intensity of pain.