Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word?

Question

Early reviewers worried the policy would ____ small businesses, but its tax credits actually made it easier for them to compete with larger firms.

Accepted Answer

A. burden. 'But its tax credits actually made it easier' signals a contrast with the reviewers' worry, so the feared effect must be negative — 'burden.' 'Reward' would match, not oppose, the positive outcome, undoing the contrast set up by 'but.'

Answer

B. reward — 'Reward' matches the positive outcome in the second half, but 'but' signals the reviewers' worry must be the opposite of that good result — you need a negative word.

Answer

C. describe — A policy could 'describe' small businesses only loosely, and reviewers wouldn't worry about that; the contrast with 'but' requires a feared negative effect on the businesses.

Answer

D. resemble — 'Resemble' says the policy is similar to small businesses, which makes no sense as something reviewers would fear; the blank needs a harmful effect to contrast with the tax credits' benefit.

Craft and Structure practice question

Answer: A. burden

Why the other answers are wrong

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