Meaning: An 'incident' is an event or occurrence, often one that is noteworthy or unusual, in this case referring to a specific case of air rage.

Wrong options:

• phenomena: 'Phenomena' is the plural form of 'phenomenon' and does not fit here as it implies multiple occurrences, while the sentence refers to a singular event.
• offense: 'Offense' refers to a violation of a law or rule, which does not accurately describe the event of air rage itself, making it contextually inappropriate here.
• crime: 'Crime' implies a serious violation of law, which is not the case in this context as the passenger was not charged, thus making it an unsuitable choice.

Correct answer: established

Explanation: The word 'established' is the correct choice as it indicates that something has been determined or set as a standard. It fits grammatically in the past tense, aligning with the context of the sentence discussing a conclusion drawn about air rage.

Meaning: 'Established' means to set up or lay down a principle or rule, in this case referring to the determination of jurisdiction for prosecuting air rage incidents.

Wrong options:

• predicted: 'Predicted' implies forecasting something that will happen in the future, which does not fit the context of determining a fact about jurisdiction that has already been established.
• found: 'Found' suggests discovering something that already exists, which does not accurately convey the idea of setting a standard or rule as 'established' does.
• discover: 'Discover' means to find something new or previously unknown, which does not align with the context of confirming existing rules.

Correct answer: increased

Explanation: The word 'increased' is the appropriate choice as it indicates a rise in the frequency or amount of air rage incidents. It fits grammatically in the past tense and aligns with the context of discussing growth over time.

Meaning: 'Increased' means to have become greater in number or amount, indicating that air rage incidents have become more common since the 1990s.

Wrong options:

• decreased: 'Decreased' means to have become less, which contradicts the context of the sentence that states air rage has grown significantly.
• evolved: 'Evolved' implies a gradual development or change, which does not specifically indicate a rise in incidents as 'increased' does.
• rose: 'Rose' is a verb that indicates an upward movement but is less precise in this context compared to 'increased,' which clearly denotes a quantitative change.

Correct answer: predicted

Explanation: The word 'predicted' is suitable as it indicates a forecast or expectation about future events. It fits grammatically in the passive voice and aligns with the context of anticipating future problems related to air rage.

Meaning: 'Predicted' means to say what will happen in the future based on evidence or reasoning, in this case referring to expectations about air rage incidents.

Wrong options:

• hoped: 'Hoped' implies a desire for something to happen, which does not convey the certainty of forecasting that 'predicted' does.
• hardly: 'Hardly' suggests something is unlikely to happen, which is the opposite of what the sentence intends to convey about future problems.
• occurred: 'Occurred' is in the past tense and indicates something that has already happened, which does not fit the context of discussing future expectations.

Correct answer: passengers

Explanation: The word 'passengers' is the correct choice as it refers to individuals traveling on an aircraft. It fits grammatically as a plural noun, matching the context of discussing those affected by air rage incidents.

Meaning: 'Passengers' are individuals who travel in a vehicle, particularly in this context, those on an airplane.

Wrong options:

• flight: 'Flight' refers to the act of flying or a scheduled journey, which does not identify individuals and is therefore contextually inappropriate here.
• attendant: 'Attendant' refers to a person who assists passengers, but does not encompass all individuals involved in air rage incidents, making it too narrow.
• pilot: 'Pilot' refers to the person flying the aircraft, which does not fit the context of discussing those who may exhibit air rage.

Correct answer: assault

Explanation: The word 'assault' is the correct choice as it refers to a physical attack, which fits the context of describing the most common experience related to air rage incidents. It is a noun that aligns with the legal implications of such behavior.

Meaning: 'Assault' means a physical attack or threat of attack, particularly in a legal context, indicating the severity of actions that can occur during air rage incidents.

Wrong options:

• injury: 'Injury' refers to harm or damage to a person, which is a consequence rather than the action itself, making it less precise than 'assault.'
• punch: 'Punch' is a specific type of physical attack, which is too narrow and informal compared to the broader legal term 'assault.'
• slap: 'Slap' is also a specific action and does not encompass the range of aggressive behaviors that can occur, making it less suitable than 'assault.'