Meaning: Derision refers to contemptuous ridicule or mockery.

Wrong options:

• confessed: Confessed is a verb that means to admit or acknowledge something, which does not fit the context of the Roman people's feelings towards the French Revolution.
• measure: Measure is a noun or verb that refers to a standard unit or the act of assessing something, which does not convey a sentiment towards the Revolution.
• hopeful: Hopeful is an adjective that describes a feeling of optimism, which does not align with the negative sentiment of derision.
• protect: Protect is a verb that means to keep safe from harm, which does not relate to the sentiment expressed in the sentence.
• upon: Upon is a preposition that indicates a position or condition, which does not fit as a noun describing sentiment.
• alongside: Alongside is a preposition that indicates being next to something, which does not convey a sentiment.

Correct answer: hopeful

Explanation: The word 'hopeful' is an adjective that describes the emigres' feelings about returning home. It fits grammatically and contextually, as it indicates a diminishing sense of optimism over time.

Meaning: Hopeful means feeling or inspiring optimism about a future event.

Wrong options:

• confessed: Confessed is a verb that does not fit as it does not describe a state of feeling regarding the emigres' situation.
• measure: Measure does not fit as it does not describe an emotional state and is unrelated to the context of hope.
• dwindling: Dwindling is a verb that means to diminish gradually, which does not describe a feeling of optimism.
• protect: Protect is a verb that does not relate to the emotional state of the emigres.
• upon: Upon is a preposition that does not convey any emotional sentiment.
• alongside: Alongside is a preposition that does not describe a feeling and is irrelevant in this context.

Correct answer: dwindling

Explanation: The term 'dwindling' is a present participle that describes the decreasing amount of contributions. It fits grammatically and contextually, indicating a reduction that contributes to the antagonism.

Meaning: Dwindling means gradually decreasing in size, amount, or strength.

Wrong options:

• confessed: Confessed is a verb that does not fit as it does not describe a reduction in contributions.
• measure: Measure does not relate to the context of contributions and does not indicate a decrease.
• hopeful: Hopeful is an adjective that describes a feeling of optimism, which does not fit the context of contributions decreasing.
• protect: Protect is a verb that does not relate to the context of contributions and is irrelevant here.
• upon: Upon is a preposition that does not describe a decrease and is not applicable in this context.
• alongside: Alongside is a preposition that does not convey a sense of reduction.

Correct answer: contributed

Explanation: The word 'contributed' is a verb that indicates the action of adding to the antagonism. It fits grammatically and contextually, as it describes how various factors led to increased hostility.

Meaning: Contributed means to give or add to something, in this case, the antagonism.

Wrong options:

• confessed: Confessed is a verb that means to admit something, which does not fit the context of causing antagonism.
• measure: Measure does not relate to the action of causing or adding to a situation and is irrelevant here.
• hopeful: Hopeful is an adjective that does not fit as it does not describe an action related to antagonism.
• protect: Protect is a verb that means to keep safe, which does not relate to the context of contributing to antagonism.
• upon: Upon is a preposition that does not convey an action and is not applicable in this context.
• alongside: Alongside is a preposition that does not describe an action and is irrelevant here.

Correct answer: dispatched

Explanation: The term 'dispatched' is a verb that indicates the action of sending envoys. It fits grammatically and contextually, as it describes the French Convention's action towards Rome.

Meaning: Dispatched means to send off to a destination for a purpose.

Wrong options:

• confessed: Confessed is a verb that means to admit something, which does not fit the context of sending envoys.
• measure: Measure does not relate to the action of sending and is irrelevant in this context.
• hopeful: Hopeful is an adjective that does not describe an action and is not applicable here.
• protect: Protect is a verb that means to keep safe, which does not relate to the context of sending envoys.
• upon: Upon is a preposition that does not convey an action and is not relevant here.
• alongside: Alongside is a preposition that does not describe an action and is irrelevant in this context.