SAT OwlQuestion bank / Words in Context
When Lina Ortiz opened a small bakery in her neighborhood in 2009, she sold only three kinds of bread. Customers responded so enthusiastically that within five years she had ______ the business into a chain of twelve shops across the city.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
expanded
reduced
concealed
postponed
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A
Going from one small bakery to a chain of twelve shops means the business grew. "Expanded" describes that growth.
Choice D might seem possible for a business plan, but the growth already happened within five years, so nothing was put off.
Why the other choices are wrong
- B. Growing from one shop to twelve is the opposite of reducing the business.
- C. Twelve shops across the city are anything but hidden, so "concealed" makes no sense.
- D. The growth happened within five years. Nothing was delayed.
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