Meaning: 'Altered' means changed or modified, indicating that technology has transformed music education in significant ways.

Wrong options:

• bypassed: 'Bypassed' means to avoid or go around something, which does not convey the intended meaning of change in this context.
• discontinued: 'Discontinued' means to stop doing something, which contradicts the idea of technology enhancing music education.
• replicated: 'Replicated' means to make a copy of something, which does not accurately describe the transformative impact of technology on music education.

Correct answer: practical

Explanation: The word 'practical' is an adjective that describes the choice of learning instruments online as sensible and feasible, fitting well with the context of accessibility in music education.

Meaning: 'Practical' means useful and effective in real situations, indicating that online learning is a viable option for many students.

Wrong options:

• inconvenient: 'Inconvenient' suggests difficulty or trouble, which is the opposite of what the sentence conveys about online learning.
• obsolete: 'Obsolete' means outdated or no longer in use, which contradicts the positive view of online learning presented in the text.
• exhaustive: 'Exhaustive' means thorough and complete, which does not accurately describe the nature of online learning as a choice.

Correct answer: advancing

Explanation: The word 'advancing' is a present participle that indicates progress in skill development, fitting grammatically and contextually with the idea of students improving their abilities at their own pace.

Meaning: 'Advancing' means making progress or moving forward, highlighting the students' development in their musical skills.

Wrong options:

• retreating: 'Retreating' implies moving backward or away, which contradicts the idea of skill improvement.
• surrendering: 'Surrendering' means giving up, which does not align with the positive notion of students enhancing their skills.
• pausing: 'Pausing' suggests stopping, which is contrary to the concept of actively improving one's skills.

Correct answer: transcends

Explanation: The word 'transcends' fits well as it indicates overcoming or going beyond geographical barriers, aligning with the context of the sentence that emphasizes the advantages of online learning.

Meaning: 'Transcends' means to go beyond limits or boundaries, suggesting that online learning surpasses traditional geographical constraints.

Wrong options:

• undermines: 'Undermines' means to weaken or damage, which is the opposite of what the sentence intends to convey about the benefits of online learning.
• complicates: 'Complicates' suggests making something more difficult, which contradicts the positive aspect of overcoming barriers in education.
• stabilises: 'Stabilises' means to make something steady, which does not accurately reflect the idea of surpassing geographical limitations.