Meaning: 'Targeting' means to aim or direct something at a specific group, in this case, advertisers aiming their commercials at children.

Wrong options:

• centring: The word 'centring' implies placing something at the center, which does not convey the intended meaning of directing advertisements specifically at children.
• focusing: While 'focusing' suggests concentration on a subject, it lacks the direct implication of aiming advertisements at a specific audience, making it less precise in this context.
• allocating: 'Allocating' refers to distributing resources or tasks, which does not fit the context of directing advertisements towards children.

Correct answer: are exposed to

Explanation: The phrase 'are exposed to' is in the present passive voice, which is appropriate here as it indicates that children are currently being subjected to advertisements. This fits grammatically and contextually with the ongoing discussion about the impact of advertising on children.

Meaning: 'Are exposed to' means that children are made aware of or subjected to something, in this case, unhealthy food advertisements.

Wrong options:

• are exposing: 'Are exposing' is an active voice construction that implies children are doing the action, which is incorrect as they are the recipients of the advertisements, not the ones exposing them.
• expose to: 'Expose to' lacks the auxiliary verb 'are,' making it grammatically incorrect in this context as it does not convey the passive structure needed here.
• have exposed: 'Have exposed' suggests a completed action in the past, which does not fit the ongoing nature of the exposure to advertisements.

Correct answer: despite

Explanation: The word 'despite' is a preposition that introduces a contrast, fitting well in the context of the sentence where it highlights the contradiction between the ban on cereal ads and the allowance for fast-food ads. It connects the two clauses logically and grammatically.

Meaning: 'Despite' means in spite of or regardless of, indicating that the fast-food company is still allowed to advertise even though the cereal advert was banned.

Wrong options:

• nevertheless: 'Nevertheless' is an adverb that indicates a contrast but does not fit grammatically as it would require a different sentence structure.
• however: 'However' is also an adverb used to introduce a contrast but is not suitable here as it does not fit the grammatical structure needed after a clause.
• although: 'Although' is a conjunction that introduces a dependent clause, which does not fit the structure of the sentence where a preposition is required.

Correct answer: consumer

Explanation: The word 'consumer' is the most appropriate noun here, as it refers to individuals who purchase goods and services, aligning perfectly with the context of spending and advertising influence. It fits grammatically and contextually as the subject of the sentence.

Meaning: 'Consumer' refers to a person who buys goods or services for personal use, which is relevant to the discussion about spending influenced by advertising.

Wrong options:

• buyer: While 'buyer' is similar, it is less commonly used in this context and does not convey the broader implications of consumer behavior as effectively as 'consumer.'
• client: 'Client' typically refers to someone who engages the services of a professional, which does not fit the context of general spending on products influenced by advertising.
• user: 'User' implies someone who uses a product or service but does not specifically denote the act of purchasing, making it less suitable in this context.