Question

although critics believed that customers would never agree to pay to pick their own produce on farms, such concerns didnt ______ booker t. whatleys efforts to promote the practice. thanks in part to whatleys determined advocacy, farms that allow visitors to pick their own apples, pumpkins, and other produce can be found throughout the united states.

which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
(a) enhance
(b) hinder
(c) misrepresent
(d) aggravate

Explanation:

Analyze the context clues

The text begins with a contrast: "Although critics believed that customers would never agree to pay to pick their own produce on farms..." This establishes that critics had negative expectations.

Evaluate the transition

The next clause states: "...such concerns didn't ______ Booker T. Whatley's efforts to promote the practice." The phrase "such concerns" refers to the critics' negative beliefs. The word "Although" indicates that despite these negative beliefs, Whatley's efforts were successful (as confirmed by the next sentence: "Thanks in part to Whatley's... advocacy, farms that allow visitors to pick their own... can be found throughout the United States").

Determine the missing word

Since Whatley's efforts succeeded despite the critics' concerns, those concerns did not stop, slow down, or get in the way of his efforts. We need a word that means "obstruct" or "delay."

Compare the answer choices

• (A) enhance: This means to improve or increase, which contradicts the negative impact of "concerns."
• (B) hinder: This means to create difficulties for someone or something, resulting in delay or obstruction. This fits perfectly because the concerns did not stop/obstruct his efforts.
• (C) misrepresent: This means to give a false or misleading account of, which does not fit the context of stopping or allowing progress.
• (D) aggravate: This means to make a problem worse, which does not fit the context of obstructing efforts.

Answer:

• (A) enhance
• (B) hinder (Correct answer)
• (C) misrepresent
• (D) aggravate