Meaning: 'Get' means to cause someone to do something or to persuade them to take action, in this case, to stand outside.

Wrong options:

• have: The verb 'have' implies possession or experience, which does not convey the action of persuading guests to stand outside.
• sort: The verb 'sort' suggests organizing or categorizing, which is not relevant to the action of gathering guests for the activity.
• settle: The verb 'settle' implies reaching an agreement or conclusion, which does not fit the context of gathering guests.

Correct answer: stab

Explanation: The word 'stab' is used here to mean making an attempt or guess, which fits contextually with the activity of guessing what the documentary is about. It is a colloquial expression that aligns with the informal tone of the passage.

Meaning: 'Stab' in this context means to make an attempt or guess at something, often used informally to indicate trying something without certainty.

Wrong options:

• bid: The word 'bid' typically refers to offering a price or making an attempt in a competitive context, which does not fit the informal guessing activity described.
• venture: The word 'venture' implies taking a risk, which is not the primary focus of the guessing activity and sounds more formal than intended here.
• speculation: The word 'speculation' refers to forming a theory without firm evidence, which is too formal and abstract for the casual guessing context.

Correct answer: lather

Explanation: The term 'lather' is used metaphorically here to describe a state of agitation or frenzy, which fits the context of TV directors becoming upset when there is nothing to show. It aligns with the informal tone and conveys the emotional state effectively.

Meaning: 'Lather' means to become agitated or excited, often used in a figurative sense to describe someone getting worked up about something.

Wrong options:

• fur: The word 'fur' refers to the hair of animals and does not fit the context of agitation or emotional state.
• add: The verb 'add' implies including something, which does not relate to the emotional state of directors in this context.
• stir: The verb 'stir' can imply causing excitement but does not convey the same level of agitation as 'lather' does in this context.

Correct answer: proportion

Explanation: The word 'proportion' fits grammatically and contextually as it refers to a part or share of a whole, which is appropriate when discussing the quantity of documentaries that are not suitable for television. It aligns with the formal tone of the passage.

Meaning: 'Proportion' means a part or share of something in relation to the whole, indicating the extent of the issue with documentaries.

Wrong options:

• fraction: The word 'fraction' implies a smaller part of a whole but is less formal and precise than 'proportion' in this context.
• ratio: The word 'ratio' refers to a quantitative relationship between two numbers, which does not fit the context of discussing the quality of documentaries.
• bulk: The word 'bulk' refers to the mass or size of something, which does not convey the intended meaning of a part of documentaries.

Correct answer: pace

Explanation: The word 'pace' fits grammatically and contextually as it refers to the speed at which something happens, which is relevant when discussing how television must accommodate the slowest audience member. It maintains the formal tone of the passage.

Meaning: 'Pace' means the speed at which something occurs, indicating how television must adjust to the audience's speed.

Wrong options:

• time: The word 'time' is too vague and does not specifically refer to the speed of action, making it less suitable in this context.
• flow: The word 'flow' suggests a smooth movement but does not specifically indicate speed, which is the focus here.
• course: The word 'course' implies a direction or path, which does not relate to the speed of the audience's engagement with the television.