Meaning: 'Ran across' means to meet someone unexpectedly or by chance.

Wrong options:

• fell in with: This phrase implies forming a close relationship or association, which does not fit the context of a casual meeting.
• saw through: This means to understand someone's true motives, which is not relevant to the context of merely meeting someone.
• took up with: This suggests starting a relationship or association, which does not align with the casual nature of the encounter described.

Correct answer: further

Explanation: The word 'further' is appropriate here as it indicates the desire to advance or deepen the relationship, fitting grammatically and contextually with the sentence's intent.

Meaning: 'Further' means to promote or advance something, in this case, the acquaintance between the speaker and Elliot.

Wrong options:

• advance: While 'advance' could fit, it is less commonly used in this context compared to 'further,' which is more idiomatic when discussing relationships.
• promote: This word implies a more formal or business-like advancement, which does not suit the personal context of the acquaintance.
• accelerate: This suggests speeding up a process, which does not apply to the context of developing a relationship.

Correct answer: inclined

Explanation: The word 'inclined' fits well as it suggests a tendency or willingness to do something, which aligns with the context of Elliot not wanting to notice the speaker.

Meaning: 'Inclined' means having a tendency or preference towards something, in this case, not wanting to see the speaker.

Wrong options:

• inspired: This implies being motivated or influenced, which does not fit the context of avoiding someone.
• vulnerable: This suggests being exposed to harm or attack, which is not relevant to the situation described.
• susceptible: This means likely to be influenced or harmed, which does not match the context of Elliot's behavior.

Correct answer: happened

Explanation: The word 'happened' is appropriate as it indicates an occurrence or event, fitting grammatically and contextually with the narrative of the speaker's success.

Meaning: 'Happened' means to occur or take place, indicating that the speaker's success was an event that transpired.

Wrong options:

• developed: This implies a gradual process, which does not fit the context of a sudden success as described.
• transpired: While it means to occur, it is less commonly used in this context and sounds more formal than 'happened.'
• grew: This suggests a gradual increase, which does not align with the sudden nature of the success mentioned.

Correct answer: regarded

Explanation: The word 'regarded' fits well as it indicates how Elliot viewed the speaker, aligning with the context of changing feelings due to the speaker's success.

Meaning: 'Regarded' means to consider or think of someone in a particular way, in this case, with warmth.

Wrong options:

• held: This is too vague and does not convey the specific meaning of how Elliot viewed the speaker.
• observed: This implies watching or noticing, which does not capture the emotional aspect of the relationship.
• took: This is too informal and does not convey the depth of feeling implied by 'regarded.'

Correct answer: notion

Explanation: The word 'notion' fits contextually as it refers to an idea or belief, which aligns with the speaker's interpretation of Elliot's invitation.

Meaning: 'Notion' means an idea or belief, suggesting the speaker thought Elliot had a specific intention behind the lunch invitation.

Wrong options:

• impression: This implies a more immediate or surface-level understanding, which does not capture the deeper interpretation of intent.
• suspicion: This suggests doubt or mistrust, which does not fit the context of a friendly lunch invitation.
• opinion: This refers to a personal belief or judgment, which is less fitting than 'notion' in this context.