Meaning: 'Cutting' means to reduce or decrease something, in this case, carbon emissions.

Wrong options:

• produce: 'Produce' implies creating or generating, which does not fit the context of reducing emissions.
• curtail: 'Curtail' means to limit or restrict, but it is less commonly used in this context compared to 'cutting'.
• emitting: 'Emitting' refers to the act of releasing, which is the opposite of what the sentence is trying to convey.

Correct answer: compound

Explanation: The word 'compound' is appropriate here as it indicates that the issue is being made worse, which aligns with the context of discussing the inefficiency of biofuel crops.

Meaning: 'Compound' means to make something worse or more intense, particularly in terms of problems or issues.

Wrong options:

• lessen: 'Lessen' means to reduce, which contradicts the context of worsening the issue.
• limit: 'Limit' suggests controlling or restricting, which does not convey the idea of making the issue worse.
• worse: 'Worse' is an adjective and does not fit grammatically as a verb in this context.

Correct answer: equal

Explanation: The word 'equal' fits grammatically as it serves as an adjective describing the biofuel output in relation to the energy needed, maintaining the sentence's structure and meaning.

Meaning: 'Equal' means the same in quantity, size, degree, or value, indicating that the energy output matches the energy input.

Wrong options:

• equally: 'Equally' is an adverb and does not fit grammatically as it cannot describe the noun 'output'.
• down: 'Down' does not fit contextually or grammatically as it does not relate to the comparison being made.
• same: 'Same' is an adjective but does not fit the grammatical structure required in this context.

Correct answer: reach

Explanation: The word 'reach' is suitable as it indicates the action of achieving or attaining adequate production levels, fitting grammatically and contextually within the sentence.

Meaning: 'Reach' means to arrive at or attain a certain level or goal, in this case, production levels.

Wrong options:

• exceed: 'Exceed' implies going beyond a limit, which does not fit the context of achieving a target level.
• promote: 'Promote' means to support or encourage, which does not convey the idea of attaining production levels.
• adapt: 'Adapt' means to adjust or modify, which does not fit the context of achieving production levels.

Correct answer: lured

Explanation: The word 'lured' fits grammatically as it indicates being attracted or enticed by something, aligning with the context of governments being tempted by quick-fix solutions.

Meaning: 'Lured' means to attract or entice someone into a particular action, often implying a negative connotation.

Wrong options:

• undone: 'Undone' suggests being reversed or negated, which does not fit the context of being tempted by solutions.
• caught: 'Caught' implies being trapped or ensnared, which does not convey the idea of being attracted to a solution.
• limited: 'Limited' suggests being restricted, which does not fit the context of being tempted by a solution.