Meaning: 'Bidding' means making an offer, especially in a competitive context, such as auctions or negotiations, which is relevant here as publishers vie for manuscripts.

Wrong options:

• petitioning: 'Petitioning' implies formally requesting something, which does not convey the competitive aspect of the scenario.
• tendering: 'Tendering' refers to formally offering something, often in a business context, but lacks the competitive nuance present in 'bidding.'
• proffering: 'Proffering' means to offer something for acceptance, but it does not capture the competitive bidding process implied in the context.

Correct answer: meet

Explanation: 'Meet' is the correct choice as it is commonly used in the phrase 'making ends meet,' which means to manage financially. This fits both grammatically and contextually within the sentence.

Meaning: 'Meet' in this context means to come together or fulfill a requirement, particularly in terms of financial needs.

Wrong options:

• join: 'Join' implies coming together but does not convey the financial context of managing expenses.
• connect: 'Connect' suggests linking or associating but lacks the specific financial connotation needed here.
• tie: 'Tie' can imply a connection but does not fit the idiomatic expression 'making ends meet' as it does not convey financial management.

Correct answer: snapped

Explanation: 'Snapped' is appropriate here as it conveys the idea of quickly being taken up or consumed, fitting the context of a manuscript being eagerly acquired. It aligns with the informal tone of the passage.

Meaning: 'Snapped up' means to take something quickly, often because it is desirable or in demand.

Wrong options:

• swallowed: 'Swallowed' suggests consuming something but does not fit the context of acquiring a manuscript.
• gobbled: 'Gobbled' implies eating hastily, which is too informal and does not suit the context of manuscript acquisition.
• sucked: 'Sucked' does not convey the intended meaning in this context and is not commonly used in relation to acquiring items.

Correct answer: subsisting

Explanation: 'Subsisting' fits well as it indicates surviving or maintaining oneself, which aligns with the context of making a living through various means. It is grammatically and contextually appropriate.

Meaning: 'Subsisting' means to maintain or support oneself, especially at a minimal level, which reflects the author's situation.

Wrong options:

• enduring: 'Enduring' implies suffering through something, which does not accurately reflect the author's approach to their work.
• abiding: 'Abiding' suggests enduring or tolerating, which does not convey the active sense of maintaining oneself financially.
• prevailing: 'Prevailing' means to be victorious or dominant, which does not fit the context of surviving on limited resources.

Correct answer: heard

Explanation: 'Heard' is the correct choice as it indicates having received information about the writing opportunity, fitting grammatically and contextually within the sentence.

Meaning: 'Heard' means to have received information or news about something, which is relevant to the context of the author's experience.

Wrong options:

• noted: 'Noted' implies having observed or recorded something, which does not fit the context of receiving information.
• received: 'Received' suggests obtaining something but lacks the informal tone and context of having heard about an opportunity.
• experienced: 'Experienced' implies having gone through something, which does not accurately reflect the author's passive reception of information.

Correct answer: dint

Explanation: 'Dint' is the correct choice as it refers to achieving something through effort or force, fitting the context of managing multiple jobs. It aligns well grammatically and contextually.

Meaning: 'Dint' means by means of or as a result of, particularly through effort, which is relevant to the author's experience of juggling responsibilities.

Wrong options:

• way: 'Way' is too vague and does not convey the sense of effort or means required in this context.
• attempt: 'Attempt' implies trying but does not fit the context of achieving something through effort.
• reason: 'Reason' refers to a cause or explanation, which does not align with the context of achieving through effort.