Question

Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blanks.
Digital cameras soon gained market share, gradually ____________ most film camera sales to cheap, disposable, single-use models. However, with the introduction of smartphones containing ever more-advanced cameras, digital camera sales ____________ by 90 per cent in the 2010s.

• A. elevating; thrived
• B. relegating; fell
• C. simulating; dwindled
• D. expanding; rose

Hint:

Pay attention to transition words like "However." It signals a contrast or change in direction. The first part of the sentence describes digital cameras winning, but "However" indicates the second part will describe them losing, which helps in choosing the correct verb for the second blank.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Interpreting the Problem:
We need to select the pair of words that logically and correctly fills the two blanks in the passage about camera sales.
Step 2: Explanation and Analysis:


First Blank: The sentence describes how digital cameras gained market share, affecting film camera sales. The context implies that film cameras were pushed down to a lower status or market segment ("cheap, disposable models"). The word 'relegating' means to assign to an inferior rank or position, which perfectly describes this process. 'Elevating' and 'expanding' are opposite in meaning. 'Simulating' is irrelevant.
Second Blank: The sentence describes the impact of smartphones on digital camera sales, stating a sharp decline ("by 90 per cent"). The word 'fell' accurately describes this decrease. 'Thrived' and 'rose' are opposites. 'Dwindled' also means to diminish, but 'fell' is a very common and direct word used with sales figures.
The pair 'relegating; fell' from option (B) correctly fits both parts of the sentence, describing the rise of digital cameras and their subsequent decline due to smartphones.
Step 3: Conclusion and Answer:
The correct option is (B) relegating; fell.