Meaning: 'Divided' means to separate into parts or categories.

Wrong options:

• stepped: 'Stepped' is a past tense verb that implies movement or progression, which does not fit the context of categorizing eras.
• stared: 'Stared' is a past tense verb indicating looking intently, which is irrelevant to the context of dividing history.
• exempted: 'Exempted' is a past participle meaning to be freed from an obligation, which does not relate to the division of historical eras.

Correct answer: outlined

Explanation: The term 'outlined' is the past tense of the verb 'outline,' which fits grammatically as it indicates that McLuhan presented or described the concept in a structured manner. This aligns with the context of discussing his theoretical contributions.

Meaning: 'Outlined' means to give a brief description or summary of something.

Wrong options:

• stepped: 'Stepped' does not fit as it implies physical movement rather than the act of describing a concept.
• stared: 'Stared' is unrelated to the act of presenting ideas and does not fit contextually.
• exempted: 'Exempted' does not relate to the act of outlining a concept and is grammatically incorrect in this context.

Correct answer: released

Explanation: The word 'released' is a past participle that fits grammatically, indicating that the book was made available to the public. This aligns with the context of discussing the publication of McLuhan's work.

Meaning: 'Released' means to make something available or to publish.

Wrong options:

• stepped: 'Stepped' does not fit as it implies movement rather than the act of publishing a book.
• stared: 'Stared' is irrelevant in this context as it does not relate to the publication of a book.
• exempted: 'Exempted' does not apply to the context of releasing a book and is grammatically incorrect.

Correct answer: predicted

Explanation: The term 'predicted' is a past tense verb that fits grammatically, indicating that McLuhan foresaw the emergence of the electronic age. This aligns with the context of discussing his foresight regarding technological changes.

Meaning: 'Predicted' means to say what will happen in the future based on current evidence.

Wrong options:

• stepped: 'Stepped' does not fit as it implies physical movement rather than making a prediction.
• stared: 'Stared' is unrelated to the act of predicting and does not fit contextually.
• exempted: 'Exempted' does not relate to the act of making predictions and is grammatically incorrect.

Correct answer: access

Explanation: The word 'access' fits grammatically as a noun indicating the ability to obtain or make use of information. This aligns with the context of discussing the availability of information in the electronic age.

Meaning: 'Access' means the ability to obtain or make use of something.

Wrong options:

• stepped: 'Stepped' does not fit as it implies movement rather than the ability to obtain information.
• stared: 'Stared' is irrelevant in this context as it does not relate to accessing information.
• exempted: 'Exempted' does not apply to the context of having access to information and is grammatically incorrect.