Meaning: In this context, 'sound' means reliable or valid, indicating that the principle is based on strong moral and financial reasoning.

Wrong options:

• clean: While 'clean' can imply purity, it does not convey the reliability or moral strength needed in this context.
• fit: The word 'fit' suggests suitability but lacks the connotation of reliability that 'sound' provides.
• worthy: 'Worthy' implies deserving respect or attention, but it does not adequately describe the principle's reliability or moral foundation.

Correct answer: pick

Explanation: The verb 'pick' is appropriate here as it conveys the action of taking responsibility for the financial burden. It fits grammatically and contextually, as it aligns with the idea of taking on a duty.

Meaning: 'Pick' means to choose or take up, in this case referring to the responsibility of covering the costs.

Wrong options:

• make: 'Make' does not convey the specific action of taking responsibility in this context; it is too vague.
• take: While 'take' could imply responsibility, it lacks the nuance of actively choosing to take on the burden, which 'pick' conveys.
• settle: 'Settle' implies resolving a debt or obligation but does not capture the proactive nature of assuming responsibility as 'pick' does.

Correct answer: interfered

Explanation: The word 'interfered' fits well as it indicates that the agency has intruded or meddled in arrangements, which aligns with the negative sentiment expressed about the CSA's operations.

Meaning: 'Interfered' means to involve oneself in a situation where one is not wanted or needed, suggesting a disruption of legitimate arrangements.

Wrong options:

• involved: 'Involved' suggests participation but lacks the negative connotation of unwanted interference that 'interfered' carries.
• implied: 'Implied' does not fit as it suggests a suggestion rather than an active role in disrupting arrangements.
• indulged: 'Indulged' implies allowing or satisfying a desire, which does not accurately reflect the agency's negative impact on arrangements.

Correct answer: pursue

Explanation: The verb 'pursue' is suitable as it indicates the action of actively seeking out missing fathers, fitting both grammatically and contextually with the agency's responsibilities.

Meaning: 'Pursue' means to follow or seek after, in this case referring to the agency's duty to locate absent fathers.

Wrong options:

• pursue: This is the correct answer.
• persevere: 'Persevere' implies continuing despite difficulties, which does not directly relate to the act of seeking out missing individuals.
• persist: 'Persist' suggests continuing firmly in a course of action but lacks the direct implication of actively seeking that 'pursue' provides.
• prevail: 'Prevail' means to be victorious or successful, which does not fit the context of actively searching for missing fathers.

Correct answer: put down

Explanation: The phrase 'put down' fits contextually as it suggests attributing the issues to bad management, aligning with the overall critique of the CSA's operations.

Meaning: 'Put down' means to attribute or assign responsibility for something, in this case, the problems faced by the agency.

Wrong options:

• given over: 'Given over' implies surrendering control, which does not accurately reflect the attribution of blame intended here.
• tied up: 'Tied up' suggests being occupied or busy, which does not convey the idea of attributing responsibility.
• handed out: 'Handed out' implies distributing something, which does not fit the context of assigning blame or responsibility.