16Hit1600
Craft and StructureMediumWord meaning from context

Craft and Structure practice question

The city's ____ growth — its population doubled in a single decade — strained its roads, schools and water supply.

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

  1. A. rapidCorrect
  2. B. gradual
  3. C. negligible
  4. D. orderly

Answer: A. rapid

The dashes define the growth: the population doubled in ten years. That is fast — 'rapid' — which is why services were strained.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. gradual
'Gradual' means slow. Doubling in a decade is anything but.
C. negligible
'Negligible' means too small to matter. Doubling is enormous.
D. orderly
'Orderly' means well-controlled. Growth that strains roads, schools and water is the opposite of controlled.

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