Meaning: 'Brought' means to cause something to happen or to lead to a particular situation, in this case, the problem of drought becoming more severe.

Wrong options:

• taken: 'Taken' implies possession or receiving, which does not fit the context of escalating a problem.
• led: 'Led' suggests guiding or directing, which does not convey the same sense of causing a situation to reach a critical point as 'brought.'
• carried: 'Carried' typically refers to holding or transporting something, which does not apply to the context of a problem intensifying.

Correct answer: passed

Explanation: The word 'passed' is the correct choice as it indicates the passage of time, fitting grammatically in the past tense. It aligns with the context of time elapsing since the hosepipe ban was imposed, making it coherent with the overall narrative.

Meaning: 'Passed' means to move forward in time or to elapse, indicating that two weeks have gone by since the hosepipe ban was announced.

Wrong options:

• expired: 'Expired' typically refers to something that has reached its end or is no longer valid, which does not fit the context of time passing.
• went: 'Went' is a more general term for movement and does not specifically convey the sense of time elapsing as 'passed' does.
• later: 'Later' is an adverb that indicates a subsequent time but does not fit grammatically as a verb in this context.

Correct answer: kettle

Explanation: The phrase 'kettle of fish' is an idiomatic expression meaning a situation or problem, making 'kettle' the correct choice. It fits contextually as it contrasts the suburban situation with that of agricultural areas, emphasizing the severity of the drought's impact.

Meaning: 'Kettle' in this context refers to a specific type of situation or problem, often used in the idiom 'a different kettle of fish.'

Wrong options:

• kettle: 'Kettle' is the correct answer, so this option does not need an explanation.
• pot: 'Pot' does not carry the same idiomatic meaning as 'kettle' and does not fit the expression used in this context.
• pan: 'Pan' is not used in this idiomatic expression and does not convey the intended meaning of a different situation.
• bowl: 'Bowl' similarly does not fit the idiomatic expression and lacks the contextual relevance of 'kettle.'

Correct answer: knees

Explanation: The phrase 'bring farmers to their knees' is an idiomatic expression meaning to cause someone to be in a state of defeat or helplessness. 'Knees' fits grammatically and contextually, emphasizing the severity of the drought's impact on farmers.

Meaning: 'Knees' in this context refers to a position of vulnerability or defeat, often used in the phrase 'to bring someone to their knees.'

Wrong options:

• hands: 'Hands' does not fit the idiomatic expression and does not convey the intended meaning of defeat or helplessness.
• tears: 'Tears' implies emotional distress but does not fit the idiomatic expression used here.
• end: 'End' does not fit the idiomatic expression and lacks the contextual relevance of 'knees.'

Correct answer: dim

Explanation: The word 'dim' fits contextually as it describes a decreasing hope or outlook, aligning with the overall tone of despair in the situation. It is grammatically correct as an adjective modifying 'hope,' indicating a lack of brightness or clarity in the prospects of controlling the fire.

Meaning: 'Dim' means lacking brightness or clarity, suggesting that hope is fading in the face of the worsening situation.

Wrong options:

• dark: 'Dark' implies a lack of light but does not convey the specific nuance of hope diminishing as 'dim' does.
• gloomy: 'Gloomy' suggests a general sense of sadness but does not fit as an adjective modifying 'hope' in this context.
• dull: 'Dull' refers to a lack of sharpness or brightness, which does not accurately capture the sense of hope diminishing.