It seems obvious now how we acquire knowledge and understanding. To start with, we need questions. Then,     4     (find) answers, we observe the world around us and study the facts. After that, we consider possible answers and test each to find the right ones. Although today we are more used to     5     (type) a few key words into a search engine and waiting for the Internet to give     6     (we) an answer, modern scientists and thinkers are still solving the world's problems with this type of analysis-luckily for us.

Recently I had dinner at a "dark restaurant", where people eat in complete darkness, served by blind staff. I wanted to________ what being blind was like, and I thought ________ would be the most difficult activity.

It was a difficult meal. ________ we couldn't see where anything was, my friend and I knocked over glasses and dropped food. My senses of taste and smell became more sensitive, and I ate much more slowly, trying to________ what I was eating. Pouring water was very difficult, plus I kept drinking from my friend's glass.

After________ to pick up any food with a fork for five minutes, I decided to use my hands. I________ down, expecting rice and vegetables, but instead stuck my ________ into a bowl of warm. thick soup. "It's best to use a spoon for this course," the waiter said into my ear, ________ but much too late. Even using a spoon, most of the soup ended up on my shirt. I felt ________ even though no one could see me.

Our waiter advised us to lift the plates and bowls close to our faces. However, I still left the restaurant feeling hungry, though I was much more aware of the ________ that blind people face.