Meaning: 'Instigated' means to initiate or bring about an action or event, often implying a sense of encouragement or motivation behind it.

Wrong options:

• constructed: 'Constructed' implies building or creating something physical, which does not fit the context of a family tradition that is more abstract and emotional.
• prompted: 'Prompted' suggests a reaction to a stimulus rather than initiating something, which does not accurately convey the grandmother's role in starting the tradition.
• heralded: 'Heralded' means to announce or proclaim, which does not fit the context of initiating a tradition; it implies recognition rather than initiation.

Correct answer: passes

Explanation: The verb 'passes' fits grammatically as it is in the present tense, aligning with the ongoing nature of the sentiment expressed in the sentence. Contextually, it indicates that the bad manners of shop assistants are mistakenly accepted as egalitarianism, which aligns with the author's critique of social behavior.

Meaning: 'Passes' in this context means to be accepted or regarded as something, often without proper justification.

Wrong options:

• poses: 'Poses' implies a deliberate presentation or stance, which does not fit the context of bad manners being accepted as a norm.
• claims: 'Claims' suggests a declaration or assertion, which does not accurately reflect the passive acceptance of bad manners as egalitarianism.
• serves: 'Serves' implies a function or purpose, which does not align with the critique of bad manners being misrepresented.

Correct answer: restrain

Explanation: The word 'restrain' fits grammatically as it is in the present tense, matching the context of the sentence where waiters are attempting to hold back their behavior. Contextually, it suggests that the waiters are trying to control their impulses, which aligns with the author's observation of their behavior.

Meaning: 'Restrain' means to hold back or control one's actions or emotions, particularly in a social context.

Wrong options:

• restrict: 'Restrict' implies limiting something, which does not fit the context of controlling behavior in a social interaction.
• repress: 'Repress' suggests suppressing feelings or desires, which is not the intended meaning in this context of social behavior.
• retract: 'Retract' means to withdraw or take back something, which does not apply to the context of holding back behavior.

Correct answer: rest

Explanation: The word 'rest' fits grammatically as it is in the base form that aligns with the modal 'can,' indicating ability. Contextually, it suggests assurance in the absence of social interaction, which is consistent with the author's feelings about the guests.

Meaning: 'Rest' means to remain or be in a certain state, in this case, being assured of a lack of social interaction.

Wrong options:

• stand: 'Stand' implies a physical position or state, which does not fit the context of assurance regarding social interactions.
• stay: 'Stay' suggests remaining in a place, which does not convey the intended meaning of assurance in social situations.
• keep: 'Keep' implies maintaining a state or condition, which does not align with the context of assurance about social interactions.

Correct answer: apart from

Explanation: The phrase 'apart from' fits grammatically as it introduces an exception to the statement about social intercourse. Contextually, it indicates that the only interaction expected is a civil word of greeting, which aligns with the author's sentiment of minimal social engagement.

Meaning: 'Apart from' means excluding or aside from, indicating that the greeting is the only form of social interaction expected.

Wrong options:

• on top of: 'On top of' suggests an addition or accumulation, which does not fit the context of social interactions being limited to a greeting.
• rather than: 'Rather than' implies a choice between two options, which does not align with the context of social interaction being minimal.
• as much as: 'As much as' suggests a comparison or degree, which does not fit the context of the sentence regarding social interactions.

Correct answer: hard

Explanation: The word 'hard' fits grammatically as it describes the difficulty of finding respect for dignity and privacy. Contextually, it emphasizes the rarity of such respect in commercial establishments, aligning with the overall critique of social behavior.

Meaning: 'Hard' means difficult to achieve or find, indicating that respect for dignity and privacy is not common.

Wrong options:

• slow: 'Slow' implies a lack of speed, which does not fit the context of finding respect in commercial establishments.
• rare: 'Rare' suggests infrequency, but does not convey the same sense of difficulty as 'hard.'
• seldom: 'Seldom' means not often, which does not capture the same level of difficulty implied by 'hard' in achieving respect.