Difference between speculative and speculation

[doanngockhanh]

Test No. incompl/advan-39 "State Secrets", question 4

The more the authorities try to conceal what is happening, the more it fuels ......... about what might be happening.

(a) speculative
(b) spectacle
(c) speciality
(d) speculation

Test No. incompl/advan-39 "State Secrets", answer 4

The more the authorities try to conceal what is happening, the more it fuels speculation about what might be happening.

Correct answer: (d) speculation
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Hi,
Why we cannot use "speculative" instead of "speculation" here? I know I have something wrong with my grammar in this sentence but I don't know exactly where. Please explain.
Thank you very much and Best regards

[Alan]

Speculation is the noun (needed here) - speculative is the adjective.
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[kelly]

Hi Alan:
Please explain what does it mean for this sentence?

The more the authorities try to conceal what is happening, the more it fuels ......... about what might be happening.

(a) speculative
(b) spectacle
(c) speciality
(d) speculation

[Alan]

Hi Kelly,

This means: The more authorities (people in councils/parliament etc) try to hide what is happening, then this will increase/develop (fuel) theories (speculation) about what is happening. In other words if people don'tknow the truth, then they will make up/imagine what the truth is.

Alan
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English as a Foreign Language
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