Meaning: 'Figure' in this context means a numerical value or amount, specifically referring to the total miles of railway.

Wrong options:

• amount: While 'amount' can refer to a quantity, it is generally used for uncountable nouns, making it less suitable for the countable 'miles'.
• sum: 'Sum' typically refers to the result of addition and is less commonly used to describe a quantity of distance, making it contextually inappropriate here.
• quantity: 'Quantity' is a general term for an amount but lacks the specific numerical connotation that 'figure' provides in this context.

Correct answer: altering

Explanation: The word 'altering' fits well as it indicates a change in the nature of travel, aligning with the context of transformation described in the sentence. It is grammatically correct and contextually relevant to the impact of railways.

Meaning: 'Altering' means to change or modify something, in this case, the nature of travel.

Wrong options:

• amending: 'Amending' implies making corrections or improvements, which does not capture the broader sense of change that 'altering' conveys.
• adapting: 'Adapting' suggests adjusting to new conditions, but it lacks the direct implication of change that 'altering' provides in this context.
• adjusting: 'Adjusting' refers to making small changes, which does not fully encompass the significant transformation implied by the introduction of railways.

Correct answer: course

Explanation: The word 'course' is suitable as it refers to the direction or path of events in history, fitting grammatically and contextually into the sentence about historical change.

Meaning: 'Course' in this context means the direction or progression of historical events.

Wrong options:

• route: 'Route' typically refers to a specific path taken, which does not convey the broader concept of historical progression as effectively as 'course'.
• way: 'Way' is more informal and less precise in this context, lacking the historical connotation that 'course' provides.
• line: 'Line' can refer to a sequence or series but does not capture the idea of historical development as clearly as 'course' does.

Correct answer: cutting

Explanation: The word 'cutting' is appropriate as it conveys the idea of significantly reducing journey times, fitting both grammatically and contextually into the sentence about the impact of rail travel.

Meaning: 'Cutting' means to reduce or decrease, particularly in terms of time in this context.

Wrong options:

• cancelling: 'Cancelling' implies stopping something altogether, which does not fit the context of reducing travel times.
• subtracting: 'Subtracting' is a mathematical term and does not convey the same sense of reducing journey times in a travel context.
• abolishing: 'Abolishing' suggests completely eliminating something, which does not accurately reflect the idea of reducing journey times.

Correct answer: beyond

Explanation: The word 'beyond' is fitting as it indicates going further than a certain point, aligning grammatically and contextually with the idea of venturing outside familiar areas.

Meaning: 'Beyond' means to go further than a specified limit or boundary, in this case, the outskirts of towns and villages.

Wrong options:

• further: While 'further' can imply going to a greater distance, it is less specific than 'beyond' in indicating surpassing a limit.
• over: 'Over' typically refers to being above something or crossing a boundary, which does not convey the same sense of distance as 'beyond'.
• above: 'Above' indicates a higher position rather than a further distance, making it contextually inappropriate for this sentence.