Meaning: 'Shaping' means to influence or determine the form or character of something, in this case, the direction of communication study during the 1940s.

Wrong options:

• sharpening: This implies making something sharper or more acute, which does not fit the context of influencing a field of study.
• shunning: This means to deliberately avoid or reject something, which contradicts the idea of playing a major role in development.
• shivering: This refers to shaking or trembling, which is irrelevant to the context of communication study.

Correct answer: Following

Explanation: The word 'Following' serves as a gerund that indicates the action of coming after or being subsequent to World War II, fitting grammatically and contextually into the sentence structure.

Meaning: 'Following' means occurring after or as a result of something, indicating the time period after World War II when scholars sought to enhance their research credibility.

Wrong options:

• Being followed: This phrase suggests a passive state, which does not fit the active context of scholars pursuing credibility after the war.
• To be followed: This infinitive form does not align with the sentence structure, which requires a gerund to indicate ongoing action.
• Followed: This past participle does not convey the ongoing action needed in this context.

Correct answer: accomplish

Explanation: The word 'accomplish' fits grammatically as a verb that indicates achieving or completing a goal, which aligns with the context of the scholars' efforts to establish communication as a distinct field.

Meaning: 'Accomplish' means to successfully achieve or complete a task, in this case, the goal of establishing communication study as a recognized field.

Wrong options:

• accompany: This means to go along with or be present with, which does not fit the context of achieving a goal.
• acknowledge: This means to recognize or admit something, which does not convey the action of achieving a specific objective.
• accommodate: This means to provide space or adjust to needs, which does not align with the idea of achieving a goal.

Correct answer: distinguishing

Explanation: The word 'distinguishing' fits grammatically as a gerund that indicates the action of recognizing or identifying differences, which is contextually appropriate for separating communication research from other fields.

Meaning: 'Distinguishing' means recognizing or treating as different, in this case, separating communication research from other academic disciplines.

Wrong options:

• discharging: This means to release or dismiss, which does not fit the context of differentiating fields of study.
• disputing: This means to argue against or challenge, which does not align with the idea of identifying differences.
• displaying: This means to show or exhibit, which does not convey the action of recognizing distinctions.

Correct answer: served

Explanation: The word 'served' fits grammatically as a past tense verb indicating that something functioned in a particular role, which is contextually appropriate for describing the impact on the creation of communication departments.

Meaning: 'Served' means to function in a particular capacity, in this case, acting as a catalyst for the establishment of communication departments.

Wrong options:

• considered: This implies being thought of in a certain way, which does not convey the active role described in the context.
• regarded: This means to be viewed in a certain light, which does not fit the context of actively contributing to the creation of departments.
• provided: This means to supply or make available, which does not accurately reflect the role described in the sentence.