Meaning: To 'address' means to deal with or tackle a problem or issue.

Wrong options:

• outline: The verb 'outline' means to give a brief summary or overview, which does not fit the context of taking action against climate change.
• derange: 'Derange' means to disturb the order of something, which is irrelevant in the context of addressing climate change.
• recruit: 'Recruit' means to enlist or hire, which does not relate to the action of addressing climate change.
• significant: 'Significant' is an adjective and cannot function as a verb in this context, making it grammatically incorrect here.
• promote: While 'promote' is a verb, it does not fit the context of the initial action needed to combat climate change, which is to address it.
• outweigh: 'Outweigh' is also a verb but is used later in the text, making it contextually inappropriate for this blank.

Correct answer: promote

Explanation: The verb 'promote' fits grammatically as it follows 'to' in the infinitive form. Contextually, it aligns with the need to encourage adaptation to climate change impacts, making it a suitable choice.

Meaning: To 'promote' means to support or actively encourage a cause or aim.

Wrong options:

• outline: 'Outline' does not fit as it refers to summarizing rather than encouraging adaptation.
• derange: 'Derange' is irrelevant as it means to disturb order, which does not apply to promoting adaptation.
• address: While 'address' is relevant, it has already been used in the previous blank and does not fit here.
• significant: 'Significant' is an adjective and cannot function as a verb, making it grammatically incorrect in this context.
• recoup: 'Recoup' means to regain something lost, which does not relate to the action of promoting adaptation.
• outweigh: 'Outweigh' is not appropriate here as it refers to comparing benefits and costs, not promoting adaptation.

Correct answer: outweigh

Explanation: The verb 'outweigh' fits grammatically as it is in the base form, suitable for the context of comparing benefits to costs. It logically conveys that the benefits of investments are greater than the costs.

Meaning: To 'outweigh' means to be greater or more significant than something else.

Wrong options:

• outline: 'Outline' does not fit as it refers to summarizing rather than comparing benefits and costs.
• derange: 'Derange' is irrelevant as it means to disturb order, which does not apply to weighing benefits against costs.
• promote: While 'promote' is relevant, it does not fit the context of comparing benefits and costs.
• significant: 'Significant' is an adjective and cannot function as a verb in this context, making it grammatically incorrect.
• recoup: 'Recoup' means to regain something lost, which does not relate to the comparison of benefits and costs.
• address: 'Address' is not suitable here as it refers to tackling an issue, not comparing benefits.

Correct answer: significant

Explanation: The adjective 'significant' fits grammatically as it describes the noun 'investment.' Contextually, it emphasizes the importance of the investment needed for infrastructure.

Meaning: 'Significant' means important or considerable in amount or effect.

Wrong options:

• outline: 'Outline' does not fit as it is a verb that does not describe the nature of the investment.
• derange: 'Derange' is irrelevant as it means to disturb order, which does not apply to describing investment.
• promote: 'Promote' is a verb and does not fit grammatically as a descriptor for investment.
• recoup: 'Recoup' is a verb and does not describe the investment itself, making it grammatically incorrect here.
• outweigh: 'Outweigh' is a verb and cannot function as an adjective to describe investment.
• address: 'Address' is a verb and does not fit as a descriptor for the type of investment needed.

Correct answer: recoup

Explanation: The verb 'recoup' fits grammatically as it is in the base form, appropriate after 'can.' Contextually, it indicates the ability to regain the investments made, which aligns with the overall message of the text.

Meaning: To 'recoup' means to regain or recover something lost, particularly in terms of financial investments.

Wrong options:

• outline: 'Outline' does not fit as it refers to summarizing rather than regaining investments.
• derange: 'Derange' is irrelevant as it means to disturb order, which does not apply to recovering investments.
• promote: While 'promote' is relevant, it does not fit the context of regaining investments.
• significant: 'Significant' is an adjective and cannot function as a verb in this context, making it grammatically incorrect.
• outweigh: 'Outweigh' is not appropriate here as it refers to comparing benefits and costs, not regaining investments.
• address: 'Address' is not suitable here as it refers to tackling an issue, not recovering investments.