Meaning: 'Means' refers to a method or way of achieving something, in this case, a method of transportation.

Wrong options:

• kinds: 'Kinds' is a plural noun that does not fit the singular context of the sentence, as it would require a different structure.
• mean: 'Mean' is a singular noun but is typically used in a different context, such as in mathematics, and does not convey the idea of a method of transportation.
• types: 'Types' is also a plural noun and does not fit the singular context required here.

Correct answer: replaced

Explanation: The verb 'replaced' indicates that the car has taken the place of the horse in transportation, fitting grammatically in the past tense and contextually as it describes a change in usage over time.

Meaning: 'Replaced' means to take the place of something, indicating that cars have taken over the role of horses in transportation.

Wrong options:

• denied: 'Denied' means to refuse or reject, which does not fit the context of substitution in transportation.
• reproduced: 'Reproduced' means to make a copy of something, which is irrelevant in this context of transportation.
• ridiculed: 'Ridiculed' means to mock or make fun of, which does not relate to the context of replacing one form of transportation with another.

Correct answer: nearly

Explanation: The adverb 'nearly' indicates an approximation, which fits well in the context of stating how often Americans use their cars, aligning with the statistical nature of the sentence.

Meaning: 'Nearly' means almost or very close to, indicating that Americans use their cars for almost 90 percent of personal trips.

Wrong options:

• hardly: 'Hardly' means barely or almost not at all, which contradicts the context of frequent car usage.
• certainly: 'Certainly' implies a strong affirmation, which does not fit the context of approximation needed here.
• somehow: 'Somehow' suggests an unclear or uncertain manner, which does not convey the statistical nature of the statement.

Correct answer: trip

Explanation: The noun 'trip' refers to a journey or travel from one place to another, fitting grammatically as it is a countable noun that aligns with the context of personal travel.

Meaning: 'Trip' means a journey or travel, particularly in the context of personal use of cars.

Wrong options:

• travel: 'Travel' is a general term for the act of moving from one place to another, but it does not fit grammatically as it is uncountable in this context.
• works: 'Works' refers to employment or functioning, which does not relate to the context of personal journeys.
• business: 'Business' refers to commercial activities, which does not fit the personal context of the trips being discussed.

Correct answer: recently

Explanation: The adverb 'recently' indicates a time frame that is not long ago, fitting grammatically as it modifies the verb 'made' and aligns with the context of discussing car prices over time.

Meaning: 'Recently' means not long ago, indicating the time frame in which the car prices are being discussed.

Wrong options:

• quickly: 'Quickly' is an adverb that describes speed, which does not fit the context of discussing time frames for car prices.
• regularly: 'Regularly' implies a routine or frequency, which does not apply to the context of specific past prices.
• rapidly: 'Rapidly' suggests speed, which is not relevant to the discussion of time in relation to car prices.

Correct answer: in

Explanation: The preposition 'in' is used to indicate a specific time period, fitting grammatically and contextually as it denotes the year when the price was noted.

Meaning: 'In' is a preposition used to indicate a point in time, referring to the year 1975 in this context.

Wrong options:

• on: 'On' is used for specific days or dates, which does not fit the context of a year.
• behind: 'Behind' indicates a position or location, which is irrelevant in this temporal context.
• about: 'About' suggests approximation or surrounding context, which does not fit the need for a specific year.