Meaning: 'Behind' means to be at the back of something or to support it, indicating that Queen Elizabeth was a foundational figure for England.

Wrong options:

• before: The word 'before' implies a temporal position, which does not convey the idea of support or foundation in this context.
• across: 'Across' suggests a spatial relationship that does not fit the intended meaning of influence or support in this sentence.
• from: 'From' indicates origin or separation, which does not align with the context of Queen Elizabeth being a powerful force for England.

Correct answer: to

Explanation: The preposition 'to' is appropriate here as it indicates direction or purpose, suggesting that the paintings served as a reminder directed at the guests about Dudley's closeness to the Queen. This fits well grammatically and contextually.

Meaning: 'To' indicates direction or purpose, in this case, reminding guests of Dudley's status in relation to the Queen.

Wrong options:

• with: The word 'with' implies accompaniment, which does not convey the intended meaning of reminding guests about Dudley's status.
• beyond: 'Beyond' suggests something that is further away or outside of a limit, which does not fit the context of a reminder directed at guests.
• without: 'Without' indicates absence, which contradicts the idea of reminding guests of Dudley's closeness to the Queen.

Correct answer: it

Explanation: The pronoun 'it' serves as a subject in this sentence, referring back to the previous clause about Elizabethan artists. This fits grammatically and logically, as it emphasizes that Elizabeth herself was the focus of national interest.

Meaning: 'It' is a pronoun used to refer to a previously mentioned subject, in this case, the focus of national preoccupation being Elizabeth herself.

Wrong options:

• that: The word 'that' is a conjunction or pronoun used for emphasis or clarification, but it does not serve as a subject in this context, making it grammatically incorrect here.
• she: 'She' is a pronoun that would require a different grammatical structure, as it cannot serve as the subject of the sentence in this context.
• which: 'Which' is a relative pronoun that introduces a clause but does not fit as a subject in this sentence.

Correct answer: to survive

Explanation: The phrase 'to survive' is an infinitive form that indicates purpose, suggesting that artists needed wealthy sponsors for the purpose of continuing their work. This fits grammatically and contextually as it expresses necessity.

Meaning: 'To survive' means to continue to live or exist, indicating that artists required financial support to continue their craft.

Wrong options:

• survive: The word 'survive' is a base form of the verb and does not fit grammatically in this context, as it lacks the necessary structure to indicate purpose.
• survival: 'Survival' is a noun that does not fit grammatically as it does not convey the intended meaning of purpose in this context.
• surviving: 'Surviving' is a gerund or present participle that does not fit the grammatical structure needed here, as it does not indicate purpose.