Meaning: 'Grounded' means being firmly established or based on something, in this case, hard work and intelligence.

Wrong options:

• rooted: While 'rooted' suggests a similar meaning, it is less commonly used in this context and does not convey the same sense of stability as 'grounded'.
• stemmed: 'Stemmed' implies a source or origin but does not fit the context of establishing a foundation for an outlook.
• located: 'Located' refers to a physical position and does not convey the metaphorical sense of being based on principles.

Correct answer: set

Explanation: The word 'set' is appropriate here as it indicates the act of establishing or determining national priorities, fitting grammatically and contextually within the sentence structure.

Meaning: 'Set' means to establish or fix something in a particular position, in this case, national priorities.

Wrong options:

• base: 'Base' implies a foundation but is less commonly used in this context of establishing priorities compared to 'set'.
• lay: 'Lay' typically refers to placing something down and does not convey the active establishment of priorities as effectively as 'set'.
• place: 'Place' suggests positioning but lacks the connotation of establishing priorities that 'set' provides.

Correct answer: follow

Explanation: The word 'follow' fits well as it indicates the action of adhering to or executing the established national priorities, maintaining grammatical consistency with the previous clause.

Meaning: 'Follow' means to carry out or adhere to something, in this case, the national priorities set by Singapore.

Wrong options:

• get: 'Get' implies obtaining something and does not fit the context of executing priorities.
• lead: 'Lead' suggests taking charge, which does not align with the context of executing previously established priorities.
• take: 'Take' implies possession or acceptance, which does not convey the action of executing priorities as clearly as 'follow'.

Correct answer: emerged

Explanation: The word 'emerged' is suitable as it indicates the process of coming into existence from a previous state, fitting grammatically and contextually within the sentence about Singapore's transformation.

Meaning: 'Emerged' means to come forth or become visible, in this case, referring to Singapore's development from swampland to a modern city-state.

Wrong options:

• established: 'Established' implies a sense of permanence but does not convey the idea of transformation from one state to another as effectively as 'emerged'.
• embodied: 'Embodied' suggests representation but does not fit the context of transformation from a previous state.
• encompassed: 'Encompassed' means to include or contain, which does not accurately describe the process of transformation that 'emerged' conveys.

Correct answer: standards

Explanation: The word 'standards' is appropriate as it refers to the level of quality or attainment expected, fitting grammatically and contextually within the sentence discussing living conditions in Singapore.

Meaning: 'Standards' refers to the level of quality or attainment, in this case, the expected living conditions in Singapore compared to the developed world.

Wrong options:

• measures: 'Measures' refers to actions taken to achieve something and does not fit the context of describing living conditions.
• levels: 'Levels' suggests a degree or amount but lacks the connotation of quality that 'standards' provides.
• rates: 'Rates' typically refers to a measurement or frequency and does not convey the idea of quality of living as effectively as 'standards'.