instruction:
You need to answer a given question containing a blank (_). Your answer must be one of the two objects mentioned in the question, for example "trophy" and "suitcase". Your answer must not contain a word that is not present in the question. Please don't use articles (e.g., the, a) before the answer.
question:
The infection blocked his nasal passage, but the medicine cleared it up, the _ was powerless against it.
answer:
infection


question:
Larry used the microwave instead of the stove to cook his food because the _ cooked faster.
answer:
microwave


question:
Mary liked cedar wood over other types of wood like poplar, because the _ wood smelled very bland.
answer:

poplar