Meaning: 'Originated' means to have begun or started, indicating that the practice of naming storms started with Clement Wragge.

Wrong options:

• prepared: Prepared implies readiness or arrangement, which does not fit the context of the historical beginning of a practice.
• mapped: Mapped suggests creating a visual representation, which is unrelated to the act of naming storms.
• prepped: Prepped is a colloquial form of prepared and does not convey the historical context of the practice's inception.

Correct answer: figures

Explanation: The term 'figures' is appropriate as it refers to notable or symbolic representations, which aligns with the context of mythical beings. It fits grammatically as a plural noun that complements the preceding context about naming storms after various entities.

Meaning: 'Figures' refers to notable persons or characters, in this case, mythical beings that Wragge named storms after.

Wrong options:

• features: Features typically refer to characteristics or attributes, which does not fit the context of naming storms after entities.
• males: Males would imply a specific gender, which does not encompass the broader category of mythical beings.
• females: Females is too specific and does not capture the broader category of mythical representations.

Correct answer: cumbersome

Explanation: The word 'cumbersome' fits well as it describes something that is unwieldy or difficult to manage, which is the intended meaning in the context of the sentence. It is an adjective that describes the previous naming system, aligning with the overall sentiment of the passage.

Meaning: 'Cumbersome' means something that is large or heavy and difficult to carry or manage, indicating that the previous naming system was not practical.

Wrong options:

• easy: Easy suggests simplicity, which contradicts the context of the previous naming system being difficult to use.
• narrow: Narrow implies limited scope, which does not accurately describe the nature of the previous designations based on latitude and longitude.
• wide: Wide suggests a broad range, which does not fit the context of describing something that was difficult to manage.

Correct answer: formalized

Explanation: The term 'formalized' is appropriate as it indicates that the system was officially established or made systematic. It fits grammatically as the past tense of the verb, aligning with the historical context of the National Weather Service's actions in 1953.

Meaning: 'Formalized' means to make something official or systematic, indicating that the naming system was officially adopted.

Wrong options:

• jeopardize: Jeopardize means to put something at risk, which does not fit the context of establishing a naming system.
• imperil: Imperil also means to put in danger, which is not relevant to the context of formalizing a system.
• risk: Risk refers to the possibility of loss or harm, which does not align with the action of establishing a systematic naming convention.