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
_________________________

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.
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Future

[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
_________________
English as a Foreign Language
You can read my EFL story A day in the life of a stately home owner