Meaning: 'Unlike' means 'in contrast to' or 'dissimilar to,' highlighting the differences between democratic systems and aristocratic or monarchical systems.

Wrong options:

• Like: 'Like' suggests similarity, which contradicts the intended contrast between democratic and older systems.
• Likely: 'Likely' indicates probability and does not fit the context of comparing systems of government.
• Safely: 'Safely' implies security or protection, which is irrelevant to the comparison being made in this context.

Correct answer: succeeded

Explanation: 'Succeeded' is the correct past tense verb that indicates the new republics followed the older systems, fitting grammatically and contextually. It aligns with the narrative of progression from one system to another.

Meaning: 'Succeeded' means to come after or follow in time, indicating that the new democracies came after the older systems.

Wrong options:

• readed: 'Readed' is a non-standard form of the verb 'read' and does not exist in English, making it grammatically incorrect.
• grated: 'Grated' refers to shredding food and does not relate to the context of political systems.
• printed: 'Printed' refers to producing text and does not convey the idea of following or succeeding in a political context.

Correct answer: lived up

Explanation: 'Lived up' is a phrasal verb that means to fulfill or meet expectations, which fits the context of the sentence discussing the reality of democratic ideals. It aligns grammatically and contextually with the idea of not achieving the powerful idea mentioned.

Meaning: 'Lived up' means to meet or fulfill a standard or expectation, indicating that the reality has not matched the ideal of democracy.

Wrong options:

• saved up: 'Saved up' refers to accumulating something over time, which does not fit the context of fulfilling an idea.
• stood up: 'Stood up' typically means to rise or defend oneself, which is unrelated to the concept of meeting expectations.
• brought up: 'Brought up' means to raise a topic or issue, which does not convey the idea of fulfilling or living up to an expectation.

Correct answer: outset

Explanation: 'Outset' refers to the beginning or start of something, which fits grammatically and contextually as it indicates the initial phase of democratic societies. It aligns with the narrative of how these societies began.

Meaning: 'Outset' means the starting point or beginning of an event or process.

Wrong options:

• ranged: 'Ranged' refers to varying or extending over a distance, which does not fit the context of a starting point.
• stood: 'Stood' is a past tense verb that does not convey the idea of a beginning or outset.
• caught: 'Caught' implies capturing or seizing, which is unrelated to the concept of the beginning of societies.

Correct answer: democratic

Explanation: 'Democratic' is an adjective that describes societies based on the principles of democracy, fitting grammatically and contextually as it directly relates to the type of societies being discussed.

Meaning: 'Democratic' refers to a system of government in which power is vested in the people, typically through elected representatives.

Wrong options:

• freedom: 'Freedom' is a noun that does not describe the type of societies and does not fit grammatically in this context.
• media: 'Media' refers to communication channels and does not describe the societies themselves.
• stilled: 'Stilled' is a past tense verb that means to calm or quiet, which does not relate to the type of societies being discussed.

Correct answer: practice

Explanation: 'Practice' refers to the actual application or use of an idea, fitting grammatically and contextually as it contrasts with the ideal of a free marketplace of ideas. It aligns with the discussion of how politics operates in reality.

Meaning: 'Practice' means the actual application or execution of a concept or idea, indicating how things are done in reality.

Wrong options:

• power: 'Power' is a noun that does not fit the context of discussing the application of ideas.
• ideas: 'Ideas' is a noun that does not convey the action of applying or executing concepts.
• fought: 'Fought' is a past tense verb that implies conflict, which does not fit the context of discussing the application of democratic principles.