Meaning: 'Inventive' means having the ability to create or design new things or to think originally, which is a fitting description of Shakespeare's unique contributions to language.

Wrong options:

• idealized: 'Idealized' refers to representing something in an ideal form, which does not directly relate to creativity in the context of language transformation.
• intensive: 'Intensive' suggests a high degree of something but does not convey the originality aspect of creativity needed here.
• fancied: 'Fancied' implies a whimsical or imagined quality, which does not accurately capture the essence of Shakespeare's creative and innovative use of language.

Correct answer: high

Explanation: The word 'high' appropriately conveys a strong level of expectations, fitting grammatically and contextually with the phrase 'high expectations' commonly used to indicate significant hopes or standards.

Meaning: 'High' in this context means elevated or significant, referring to the strong expectations people had regarding the growth of English literature during Shakespeare's time.

Wrong options:

• wide: 'Wide' typically refers to physical dimensions or extent, and does not fit the common collocation of 'expectations.'
• much: 'Much' is used for uncountable nouns and does not work with 'expectations,' which are countable.
• more: 'More' implies an increase but does not convey the initial level of expectations required in this context.

Correct answer: on

Explanation: The preposition 'on' is the correct choice as it is commonly used in the phrase 'expectations on,' indicating the basis or focus of those expectations, fitting grammatically and contextually.

Meaning: 'On' in this context indicates the subject or focus of the expectations, which is the growth of English literature.

Wrong options:

• in: 'In' would suggest being inside or within something, which does not accurately convey the relationship between expectations and the growth of literature.
• and: 'And' is a conjunction that connects phrases or clauses, which does not fit as a preposition in this context.
• side: 'Side' does not function as a preposition in this context and does not convey the intended meaning of expectations related to literature.

Correct answer: daunting

Explanation: The word 'daunting' fits well as it describes a future that is intimidating or discouraging, aligning with the critics' concerns about the sustainability of innovations in English. It fits grammatically and contextually within the sentence.

Meaning: 'Daunting' means something that seems difficult to deal with or intimidating, which reflects the critics' worries about the future of English.

Wrong options:

• monetary: 'Monetary' relates to money and does not fit the context of discussing the future of language and literature.
• promising: 'Promising' suggests a positive outlook, which contradicts the critics' concerns about the future being challenging.
• irresistible: 'Irresistible' implies something that cannot be resisted, which does not align with the negative connotation of a future that critics find worrying.