Choose the most appropriate word from the options given below to complete the following sentence:

It was her view that ...

Question

Choose the most appropriate word from the options given below to complete the following sentence:

It was her view that the country's problem had been ________ by foreign technocrats, so that to invite them to come back would be counter-productive.

A. identified  B. ascertained  C. exacerbated  D. analysed

Accepted Answer

C. exacerbated The sentence argues that inviting foreign technocrats back would be counter-productive. For this logic to hold, the technocrats must have made the problems worse, not merely studied or identified them. 'Exacerbated' means made worse, which directly supports the conclusion that bringing them back would be harmful.