Meaning: 'Out' in this context means to be removed or eliminated from a certain situation, specifically referring to farmers no longer being able to operate their businesses.

Wrong options:

• away: 'Away' implies distance and does not convey the idea of being forced to stop doing business, making it contextually inappropriate.
• down: 'Down' does not fit the phrase 'force down of business' and lacks the necessary meaning related to ceasing operations.
• across: 'Across' suggests movement from one side to another, which does not apply to the context of business operations.

Correct answer: began

Explanation: The word 'began' is the correct past tense form that fits the context of the sentence, indicating that the downward trend started at a specific point in the past, which is consistent with the overall narrative.

Meaning: 'Began' means to start or commence, referring to the initiation of the downward trend in dairy farming.

Wrong options:

• has begun: This present perfect tense suggests an ongoing action, which does not align with the historical context provided in the sentence.
• beginning: This gerund form does not fit grammatically as it cannot serve as the main verb in this context.
• to begin: This infinitive form is not suitable here as it does not convey the past action required by the sentence.

Correct answer: longer

Explanation: The word 'longer' fits grammatically as it is used in the phrase 'could no longer compete,' indicating a cessation of ability to compete, which aligns with the context of the sentence.

Meaning: 'Longer' refers to an extended duration, here implying that the milkman could not continue to compete in the market.

Wrong options:

• better: 'Better' implies an improvement, which does not fit the context of competition ceasing.
• further: 'Further' suggests additional distance or extent, which does not apply to the context of competition.
• much: 'Much' is an adverb that does not fit grammatically in this context as it does not convey the intended meaning.

Correct answer: ever

Explanation: The word 'ever' is appropriate here as it indicates the lowest price at any time in history, fitting the context of the sentence and the overall tone.

Meaning: 'Ever' means at any time, emphasizing that the current price is the lowest it has ever been.

Wrong options:

• never: 'Never' indicates a lack of occurrence, which contradicts the context of the sentence discussing current prices.
• soon: 'Soon' refers to a future time, which does not align with the present context of the price being low.
• then: 'Then' refers to a specific past time, which does not fit the current context of pricing.

Correct answer: restricts

Explanation: The word 'restricts' is the correct present tense form that fits the context, indicating an ongoing action of limiting milk production, which aligns with the structure of the sentence.

Meaning: 'Restricts' means to limit or control the amount of something, in this case, the quantity of milk a farmer can produce.

Wrong options:

• restricting: This gerund form does not fit grammatically as it cannot serve as the main verb in this context.
• be restricting: This form is incorrect as it does not fit the subject-verb agreement required in the sentence.
• restricted: This past tense form does not convey the ongoing action needed in the context of the sentence.