Fill in the blanks in the passage with the most appropriate words from the given options:

We all have a ___ (1) ___ in the infrastructure surrounding us—the roads, buildings, power lines, and telephone networks that we ___ (2) _____ on daily. How well they are built and operated is ___ (3) ____ to economic growth and is a key arbiter of an economy's competitiveness—and yet, virtually every economy faces an array of infrastructure challenges. Just a few examples illustrate some of the pressing issues. South Africa's power distribution network has an estimated maintenance backlog of $4 billion—equivalent to half of the country's total investment in electronic power generation and distribution in 2011. The U.S. Department of Transportation estimates that 15% of the country's roads are in an unacceptable condition and says that road congestion costs the US an estimated $100 billion per year. Just to keep ___ (4) ___ with anticipated global GDP growth, the world needs to spend $57 trillion, or on average $3.2 trillion a year, on infrastructure over the next 18 years. That is more than the entire worldwide stock of infrastructure on the ground today—and nearly 60% more than the world has invested over the past 18 years. Tackling maintenance backlogs, future-proofing infrastructure to cope with climate change and ___ (5) ___ development goals such as access to clean water and all-weather roads to transport goods to markets would cost a great deal. The bill for all of that looks prohibitive at a time when many governments are highly indebted and capital is tight. A focus on both, the huge need for additional investment and potential difficulties in financing it, ___ (6) ___ the debate Pessimism rules, but it needn't be that way. The answer ___ (7) ___ in improving the way we plan, build, and operate infrastructure—in other words, we need to boost its productivity.

Question

Fill in the blanks in the passage with the most appropriate words from the given options:

We all have a ___ (1) ___ in the infrastructure surrounding us—the roads, buildings, power lines, and telephone networks that we ___ (2) _____ on daily. How well they are built and operated is ___ (3) ____ to economic growth and is a key arbiter of an economy's competitiveness—and yet, virtually every economy faces an array of infrastructure challenges. Just a few examples illustrate some of the pressing issues. South Africa's power distribution network has an estimated maintenance backlog of $4 billion—equivalent to half of the country's total investment in electronic power generation and distribution in 2011. The U.S. Department of Transportation estimates that 15% of the country's roads are in an unacceptable condition and says that road congestion costs the US an estimated $100 billion per year. Just to keep ___ (4) ___ with anticipated global GDP growth, the world needs to spend $57 trillion, or on average $3.2 trillion a year, on infrastructure over the next 18 years. That is more than the entire worldwide stock of infrastructure on the ground today—and nearly 60% more than the world has invested over the past 18 years. Tackling maintenance backlogs, future-proofing infrastructure to cope with climate change and ___ (5) ___ development goals such as access to clean water and all-weather roads to transport goods to markets would cost a great deal. The bill for all of that looks prohibitive at a time when many governments are highly indebted and capital is tight. A focus on both, the huge need for additional investment and potential difficulties in financing it, ___ (6) ___ the debate Pessimism rules, but it needn't be that way. The answer ___ (7) ___ in improving the way we plan, build, and operate infrastructure—in other words, we need to boost its productivity.

Accepted Answer

**Solution:**

1. The phrase "We all have a ___ in the infrastructure surrounding us" requires a noun that means a stake or interest. "Subject" fits well as it can mean an area of concern or interest.

2. "...the roads, buildings, power lines, and telephone networks that we ___ on daily." The verb should mean to rely or depend on. "Command" is used here in the sense of having control or access to, which fits better than the other options.

3. "How well they are built and operated is ___ to economic growth..." The blank requires a word meaning crucial or dominant. "Dominates" fits perfectly as it means to have a controlling influence.

4. "Just to keep ___ with anticipated global GDP growth..." The phrase "keep up with" is common, so "keep up" is the implied phrase here. Since "keep up" is not in the options, "Command" or "Convey" do not fit. The best fit is "keep up" (implied).

5. "...and ___ development goals such as access to clean water..." The blank requires a verb meaning to cause or stimulate. "Prompt" fits well.

6. "...potential difficulties in financing it, ___ the debate." The verb should mean to dominate or control. "Dominates" is the correct choice.

7. "The answer ___ in improving the way we plan..." The verb should mean lies or exists. "Lies" is implied.

**Answer:** Option 3 is the best fit for the blanks as per the passage context.

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