16Hit1600
Craft and StructureHardWord meaning from context

Craft and Structure practice question

Rather than confront the budget shortfall directly, the report ____ it, mentioning the figure only once, in a footnote.

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

  1. A. minimisedCorrect
  2. B. exaggerated
  3. C. resolved
  4. D. publicised

Answer: A. minimised

'Rather than confront it directly' and 'only once, in a footnote' show the report playing the problem down — 'minimised'.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. exaggerated
'Exaggerated' would mean making it seem bigger. Burying it in a footnote does the reverse.
C. resolved
'Resolved' means fixed. Mentioning a shortfall in a footnote doesn't fix it.
D. publicised
'Publicised' means drawing attention to. A footnote is where attention goes to die.

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