Meaning: 'Leading' in this context means occurring in the time period just before a specific point, which is midday on Sunday.

Wrong options:

• going: 'Going' suggests movement but does not convey the sense of time leading up to an event, making it contextually inappropriate here.
• taking: 'Taking' implies a process of obtaining or requiring, which does not fit the context of describing a time period related to rainfall.
• approaching: 'Approaching' indicates coming near but lacks the specificity of time that 'leading' provides in this context.

Correct answer: nearly

Explanation: The word 'nearly' accurately conveys the idea of being close to a certain amount, which in this case is twice the normal rainfall, fitting both grammatically and contextually within the sentence.

Meaning: 'Nearly' means almost or very close to, indicating that the rainfall was almost twice the normal August amount.

Wrong options:

• only: 'Only' suggests exclusivity and does not fit the context of comparing amounts of rainfall.
• fairly: While 'fairly' indicates a moderate degree, it does not convey the proximity to a specific quantity as effectively as 'nearly.'
• hardly: 'Hardly' implies a small amount or degree, which contradicts the context of significant rainfall being discussed.

Correct answer: side

Explanation: The word 'side' is appropriate as it refers to a specific part of the globe, aligning with the context of contrasting locations in the sentence.

Meaning: 'Side' refers to a particular area or region, in this case, indicating the opposite part of the globe from where the flooding occurred.

Wrong options:

• section: 'Section' implies a division but does not convey the geographical context as effectively as 'side.'
• face: 'Face' is not commonly used to describe parts of the globe and does not fit the context of geographical contrast.
• part: 'Part' is too vague and does not provide the specific geographical connotation that 'side' does.

Correct answer: heavy

Explanation: The word 'heavy' is suitable as it describes the intensity of the showers, fitting grammatically and contextually within the sentence about rainfall.

Meaning: 'Heavy' refers to a large amount or intensity, indicating that the showers were significant in volume.

Wrong options:

• huge: 'Huge' typically describes size rather than intensity, making it less appropriate in the context of rainfall.
• weighty: 'Weighty' suggests heaviness in a physical sense, which does not apply to the context of rain showers.
• strong: 'Strong' can describe intensity but is less commonly used in relation to showers compared to 'heavy,' which is more specific.

Correct answer: deposited

Explanation: The word 'deposited' fits grammatically and contextually as it describes the action of rain accumulating in a specific location, which is relevant to the context of the sentence.

Meaning: 'Deposited' means to place or put down, in this case referring to the rain that fell and accumulated in Lyons.

Wrong options:

• placed: 'Placed' implies a deliberate action of putting something down, which does not accurately describe the natural occurrence of rain.
• lay: 'Lay' is a verb that typically requires a direct object and does not fit the context of rain falling.
• set: 'Set' is not commonly used to describe rain accumulation and does not convey the same meaning as 'deposited' in this context.