Meaning: 'Recruiting' means to actively seek and enlist new members or candidates, particularly in a professional or educational context.

Wrong options:

• bringing: 'Bringing' implies transporting or delivering, which does not fit the context of attracting candidates for admission.
• taking: 'Taking' suggests receiving or accepting, but it lacks the active connotation of seeking out candidates that 'recruiting' provides.
• sending: 'Sending' indicates dispatching or forwarding, which is not relevant to the process of attracting candidates.

Correct answer: candidates

Explanation: The term 'candidates' is appropriate as it refers specifically to individuals being considered for admission, fitting the context of business schools looking for potential students. It is also a plural noun that matches the preceding adjective 'younger, less experienced.'

Meaning: 'Candidates' refers to individuals who are being considered for a position or opportunity, in this case, students applying to business schools.

Wrong options:

• children: 'Children' implies a much younger demographic, which does not align with the context of business school applicants.
• people: While 'people' is a general term, it lacks the specificity needed in this context to denote those applying for business school.
• kids: 'Kids' is informal and typically refers to younger children, which is not suitable for the context of business school applicants.

Correct answer: applications

Explanation: The word 'applications' fits well as it refers to the formal requests submitted by candidates to join the business schools, aligning with the goal of boosting admissions. It is a plural noun that matches the context of increasing the number of submissions.

Meaning: 'Applications' are formal requests made by individuals to be considered for admission to a program or institution.

Wrong options:

• structures: 'Structures' refers to physical or organizational frameworks, which does not relate to the context of admissions or candidates.
• people: 'People' is too vague and does not specifically refer to the formal process of applying to schools.
• graduates: 'Graduates' refers to individuals who have completed a degree, which is not the focus of the sentence regarding the application process.

Correct answer: lure

Explanation: The verb 'lure' is appropriate as it conveys the idea of enticing or attracting new students, fitting the context of business schools trying to draw in applicants. It aligns with the intention of the sentence and maintains the correct grammatical form.

Meaning: 'Lure' means to attract or entice someone to do something, often by offering something appealing.

Wrong options:

• secure: 'Secure' implies obtaining or ensuring something, which does not convey the active enticing aspect that 'lure' does.
• stop: 'Stop' suggests halting an action, which contradicts the intent of attracting new students.
• start: 'Start' indicates beginning something, which does not fit the context of attracting or enticing students.

Correct answer: prerequisite

Explanation: The term 'prerequisite' is suitable as it refers to a requirement that must be met before admission, fitting the context of admissions criteria. It is a noun that aligns with the structure of the sentence.

Meaning: 'Prerequisite' refers to a condition or requirement that must be fulfilled prior to something else, in this case, admission to a program.

Wrong options:

• explain: 'Explain' is a verb that does not fit the context of a requirement for admission.
• request: 'Request' implies asking for something, which does not align with the concept of a requirement for admission.
• stayed: 'Stayed' is the past tense of 'stay,' which does not fit the context of discussing admission criteria.

Correct answer: instead

Explanation: The word 'instead' is appropriate as it indicates a shift in focus or approach, fitting the context of changing admissions criteria. It serves as an adverb that connects the previous clause with the new direction taken by the schools.

Meaning: 'Instead' means in place of something else, indicating a change in approach or method.

Wrong options:

• indulge: 'Indulge' implies allowing oneself to enjoy something, which does not fit the context of changing admissions criteria.
• inject: 'Inject' suggests introducing something, which does not align with the context of altering admissions practices.
• stuck: 'Stuck' implies being unable to move or change, which contradicts the idea of actively changing admissions criteria.

Correct answer: professionals

Explanation: The term 'professionals' is fitting as it refers to individuals who are engaged in a specific profession, aligning with the context of early career applicants. It is a plural noun that matches the description of the target demographic.

Meaning: 'Professionals' refers to individuals who are qualified and engaged in a specific occupation, typically requiring specialized education or training.

Wrong options:

• persons: 'Persons' is a formal term for individuals but lacks the connotation of being engaged in a profession that 'professionals' conveys.
• people: 'People' is too general and does not specifically denote those in a professional context.
• prospects: 'Prospects' refers to potential candidates but does not specifically indicate those who are already in a professional capacity.

Correct answer: belt

Explanation: The word 'belt' is appropriate as it refers to the metaphorical phrase 'under the belt,' indicating experience gained over time. It fits grammatically and contextually within the sentence structure.

Meaning: 'Belt' in this context refers to the metaphorical use indicating the amount of experience someone has accumulated.

Wrong options:

• seat: 'Seat' does not fit the context of experience and is unrelated to the metaphorical expression being used.
• bent: 'Bent' refers to a curve or inclination, which does not relate to the context of experience.
• set: 'Set' implies a collection or group, which does not fit the context of discussing experience.