Fill in the blank with the most appropriate word.
Fertilizers and insecticides have increased agricultural ______ so that the swelling populations can be fed.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
The correct answer is option 2 i.e. output.
Context: The sentence talks about feeding growing populations due to improvements in agriculture through fertilizers and insecticides. The blank must be filled with a word that shows increased production in agriculture.
Meaning of the words:
Outlay: An amount of money spent for a particular purpose.
Output: The amount of something produced by a person, machine, or industry.
Investment: The act of putting money, effort, or time into something to get a return.
Dispersal: The act of spreading things or people over a wide area.
Correct word: Output
Reason: Only “output” fits the context of agricultural production, which is what increases when fertilizers and insecticides are used.
Final Sentence: Fertilizers and insecticides have increased agricultural output so that the swelling populations can be fed.
Hence the chosen option is correct.