Meaning: 'General' refers to something that is common or typical, not specific or exceptional.

Wrong options:

• class: 'Class' refers to a group of people or things that share common characteristics, but it does not fit the context of describing a population in this instance.
• acceptance: 'Acceptance' is a noun that refers to the action of consenting to receive or undertake something, which does not describe a type of population.
• assured: 'Assured' is an adjective meaning confident or guaranteed, which does not relate to the context of describing a population.
• contrasted: 'Contrasted' is a verb form that indicates a comparison, which does not fit grammatically as it does not describe a population.
• high: 'High' is an adjective that indicates a large amount or degree, but it does not appropriately describe a population in this context.
• therapists: 'Therapists' is a noun referring to professionals who provide therapy, which does not fit as it does not describe a population.

Correct answer: proportion

Explanation: The term 'proportion' is a noun that indicates a part or fraction of a whole. It fits grammatically as it serves as the subject of the sentence, discussing the fraction of the population that visited health professionals.

Meaning: 'Proportion' refers to a part or share of a whole, especially in relation to the total.

Wrong options:

• class: 'Class' refers to a group of people or things, which does not fit as it does not indicate a part of the population.
• general: 'General' is an adjective that describes something common or typical, but it does not serve as a noun to indicate a part of the population.
• acceptance: 'Acceptance' is a noun that refers to the action of consenting to receive something, which does not relate to the fraction of the population visiting health professionals.
• assured: 'Assured' is an adjective meaning confident or guaranteed, which does not fit as it does not describe a part of the population.
• high: 'High' is an adjective that indicates a large amount or degree, which does not fit as it does not describe a part of the population.
• therapists: 'Therapists' is a noun referring to professionals who provide therapy, which does not fit as it does not indicate a part of the population.

Correct answer: therapists

Explanation: The word 'therapists' is a noun that refers to health professionals who provide therapy. It fits grammatically as it serves as the object of the sentence, indicating who the population visited.

Meaning: 'Therapists' are professionals trained to provide therapy, particularly in health and wellness contexts.

Wrong options:

• class: 'Class' refers to a group of people or things, which does not fit as it does not indicate a type of health professional.
• general: 'General' is an adjective that describes something common or typical, which does not fit as it does not refer to a specific profession.
• acceptance: 'Acceptance' is a noun that refers to the action of consenting to receive something, which does not relate to health professionals.
• assured: 'Assured' is an adjective meaning confident or guaranteed, which does not fit as it does not describe a type of health professional.
• proportion: 'Proportion' is a noun that indicates a part of a whole, which does not fit as it does not refer to a type of health professional.

Correct answer: contrasted

Explanation: The word 'contrasted' is the past participle of the verb 'contrast,' which fits grammatically as it describes the relationship between the lower rates of visits and the increasing rates of visits to other health professionals. It indicates a comparison that is being made.

Meaning: 'Contrasted' means to show the differences between two or more things.

Wrong options:

• class: 'Class' refers to a group of people or things, which does not fit as it does not indicate a comparison or action.
• general: 'General' is an adjective that describes something common or typical, which does not fit as it does not indicate an action or comparison.
• acceptance: 'Acceptance' is a noun that refers to the action of consenting to receive something, which does not fit as it does not indicate an action or comparison.
• assured: 'Assured' is an adjective meaning confident or guaranteed, which does not fit as it does not indicate an action or comparison.
• proportion: 'Proportion' is a noun that indicates a part of a whole, which does not fit as it does not indicate an action or comparison.
• therapists: 'Therapists' is a noun referring to professionals who provide therapy, which does not fit as it does not indicate an action or comparison.

Correct answer: acceptance

Explanation: The word 'acceptance' is a noun that refers to the action of consenting to receive or undertake something. It fits grammatically as it serves as the object of the sentence, discussing the levels of acceptance of complementary therapies by older people.

Meaning: 'Acceptance' refers to the act of agreeing to or receiving something, in this case, complementary therapies.

Wrong options:

• class: 'Class' refers to a group of people or things, which does not fit as it does not relate to the concept of agreeing to therapies.
• general: 'General' is an adjective that describes something common or typical, which does not fit as it does not relate to the concept of agreeing to therapies.
• assured: 'Assured' is an adjective meaning confident or guaranteed, which does not fit as it does not relate to the concept of agreeing to therapies.
• contrasted: 'Contrasted' is a verb form that indicates a comparison, which does not fit as it does not relate to the concept of agreeing to therapies.
• proportion: 'Proportion' is a noun that indicates a part of a whole, which does not fit as it does not relate to the concept of agreeing to therapies.
• therapists: 'Therapists' is a noun referring to professionals who provide therapy, which does not fit as it does not relate to the concept of agreeing to therapies.