Meaning: The term 'rate' refers to the speed or frequency at which something occurs, in this case, technological change.

Wrong options:

• losing: The word 'losing' is a gerund that does not fit as it does not describe a measurement or frequency, but rather an action of loss.
• trained: The word 'trained' is a past participle that does not fit the context of measuring change; it refers to the process of teaching skills.
• taught: The word 'taught' is also a past participle and does not relate to the measurement of change, but rather to the act of educating someone.
• dying: The word 'dying' is a gerund that describes a process of ceasing to exist, which does not fit as a measurement of change.
• speed: The word 'speed' is a noun but does not fit grammatically in this context as it lacks the specificity of 'rate' in describing the frequency of change.

Correct answer: dying

Explanation: The word 'dying' serves as a gerund that indicates the process of becoming extinct or obsolete. It fits contextually as it describes the fate of age-old human skills in the face of rapid technological advancement.

Meaning: The term 'dying' refers to the process of ceasing to exist or becoming less common.

Wrong options:

• losing: The word 'losing' implies a process of loss but does not convey the idea of skills becoming obsolete as effectively as 'dying.'
• trained: The word 'trained' is a past participle that does not fit the context of skills becoming obsolete; it refers to the act of teaching skills.
• taught: The word 'taught' is also a past participle and does not relate to the extinction of skills, but rather to the act of educating someone.
• rate: The word 'rate' is a noun that describes a measurement and does not fit the context of skills becoming obsolete.
• speed: The word 'speed' is a noun that does not convey the idea of skills becoming less common or extinct.

Correct answer: less

Explanation: The word 'less' is an adverb that appropriately modifies 'than a year,' indicating a smaller quantity of time. It fits grammatically and contextually as it describes the duration of obsolescence.

Meaning: The term 'less' refers to a smaller amount or degree, in this case, indicating a time frame shorter than a year.

Wrong options:

• losing: The word 'losing' is a gerund that does not fit grammatically as it cannot modify a time frame.
• trained: The word 'trained' is a past participle that does not fit in this context as it does not relate to a time duration.
• taught: The word 'taught' is also a past participle and does not fit as it cannot modify a time frame.
• dying: The word 'dying' is a gerund that does not fit grammatically as it cannot modify a time duration.
• rate: The word 'rate' is a noun that does not fit as it cannot modify a time frame.

Correct answer: trained

Explanation: The word 'trained' is a past participle that fits grammatically as it describes the action of teaching skills to people. It aligns with the context of discussing the workforce and skill development.

Meaning: The term 'trained' refers to having received instruction or education in a particular skill or area.

Wrong options:

• losing: The word 'losing' is a gerund that does not fit as it does not relate to the process of skill development.
• less: The word 'less' is an adverb that cannot function as a verb or describe the action of skill acquisition.
• taught: The word 'taught' is a past participle that does not fit in this context as it refers to the act of educating rather than the state of having been educated.
• dying: The word 'dying' is a gerund that does not fit as it does not relate to the process of skill development.
• speed: The word 'speed' is a noun that does not fit as it does not describe the action of teaching or acquiring skills.