Question

resolving an economic crisis
(1) the stock market crashed in 1929, the united states entered a severe economic downturn called the great depression. (2) as the crisis deepened, the unemployment rate soared, destroying many lives. (3) the crisis required a bold response from the government, but president herbert hoover resisted saying economic depression cannot be cured by legislative action or executive pronouncement.
(4) people like hoover, who thought that the government should not take steps to help the economy, ignored the suffering of millions of americans. (5) in some cities, the unemployment rate exceeded 70 percent. (6) many lost their homes and were forced to live in shantytowns where the quality of housing was poor. (7) these towns were named hoovervilles, because people believed president hoover had some responsibility for the crisis. (8) still, the hoover administration took half - hearted steps to help citizens.
(9) franklin roosevelt was then elected president. (10) recognizing that people were scared, his inaugural address said, the only thing we have to fear is fear itself. (11) franklin roosevelts administration immediately took more action than president hoover. (12) in his first 100 days in office, roosevelt and congress passed legislation that was known as the new deal. (13) the financial system was reformed and the employment rate increased. (14) over the next four years, the countrys economy gained strength and the unemployment rate dropped a lot. (15) roosevelts ideas worked.
which revision of the underlined words in sentence 14 (reproduced below) is most appropriate for the passages tone?
over the next four years, the countrys economy gained strength and the unemployment rate dropped a lot.
○ no change
○ visibly
○ outstandingly
○ significantly

Explanation:

The passage is about the Great Depression and economic recovery. The tone is formal and academic. "A lot" is too informal. "Significantly" is a more formal and appropriate word to describe the change in the unemployment rate in an academic - like passage about economic events. "Visibly" implies something that can be seen with the eyes, which is not the right connotation for an economic change. "Outstandingly" is more about something being excellent, which is not relevant here.

Answer:

significantly