Meaning: In this context, 'time' refers to the duration during which computer scientists have been working on developing intelligent machines.

Wrong options:

• feeling: The word 'feeling' refers to an emotional state and does not relate to the duration of efforts made by scientists, making it contextually irrelevant.
• technology: While 'technology' relates to the field of computer science, it does not denote a duration, thus failing to fit the grammatical structure of the sentence.
• optimism: 'Optimism' refers to a hopeful outlook and does not represent a measurable duration, making it unsuitable in this context.

Correct answer: overlooked

Explanation: The term 'overlooked' is the correct past participle that indicates something was not given proper attention. It fits grammatically and contextually, as it describes the historical neglect of emotional aspects in the development of intelligent computers.

Meaning: 'Overlooked' means to fail to notice or consider something, indicating that the role of emotion was not adequately addressed in the research.

Wrong options:

• abandoned: 'Abandoned' implies a complete cessation of interest, which does not accurately reflect the ongoing research efforts; it suggests a more definitive action than 'overlooked.'
• researched: 'Researched' would imply that emotion was actively studied, which contradicts the context of it being largely ignored.
• developed: 'Developed' suggests that emotion was actively cultivated, which is contrary to the intended meaning of neglect.

Correct answer: dramatically

Explanation: The adverb 'dramatically' modifies the verb 'risen,' indicating a significant increase in interest. It fits grammatically and contextually, emphasizing the extent of the rise in interest in emotions within computing.

Meaning: 'Dramatically' means in a striking or impressive manner, highlighting the substantial increase in interest in the role of emotion in intelligent computing.

Wrong options:

• drama: 'Drama' is a noun and does not function as an adverb, making it grammatically incorrect in this context.
• dramas: 'Dramas' is also a noun and similarly fails to serve as an adverb, thus not fitting the grammatical structure needed here.
• dramatic: 'Dramatic' is an adjective and cannot modify the verb 'risen,' making it unsuitable in this context.

Correct answer: amongst

Explanation: The preposition 'amongst' is used correctly here to indicate being part of a group. It fits grammatically and contextually, as it refers to Bates and Paleari & Lisetti being included in the early researchers addressing emotion in computing.

Meaning: 'Amongst' means in the company of or surrounded by, indicating that these researchers were part of a group of early contributors to this field.

Wrong options:

• between: 'Between' is used for two distinct items, which does not apply here as it refers to a group of researchers, making it contextually incorrect.
• in the middle of: This phrase suggests a physical location rather than inclusion in a group, which does not fit the intended meaning.
• within: 'Within' implies being inside a boundary, which does not convey the same sense of inclusion in a group as 'amongst' does.

Correct answer: has grown

Explanation: The phrase 'has grown' is the present perfect tense, indicating an action that started in the past and continues to the present. It fits grammatically and contextually, as it describes the ongoing increase in literature on emotions and computing.

Meaning: 'Has grown' means that the amount of literature has increased over time and continues to do so, reflecting ongoing developments in the field.

Wrong options:

• grows: 'Grows' is simple present tense and does not convey the ongoing nature of the increase as effectively as the present perfect tense does.
• is growing: 'Is growing' suggests a current action but lacks the emphasis on the completed action of growth that 'has grown' provides.
• had grown: 'Had grown' is past perfect tense, indicating a completed action before another past action, which does not fit the context of ongoing developments.