Meaning: Transformed means to change in form, appearance, or structure, indicating a significant alteration in how things are done.

Wrong options:

• transgressed: Transgressed is the past tense of transgress, meaning to violate a rule or boundary, which does not fit the context of describing a positive change in manufacturing practices.
• resulting: Resulting is a present participle that indicates an outcome, but it does not convey the action of change that 'transformed' does.
• conditions: Conditions refers to the state of something, which does not relate to the action of changing or impacting manufacturing processes.

Correct answer: ranging

Explanation: The word 'ranging' is a present participle that indicates a variety or spectrum of items, fitting grammatically as it describes the scope of products affected by plastic. It is contextually appropriate as it introduces the examples of products that vary widely.

Meaning: Ranging means to vary or extend between specified limits, indicating a wide array of products from groceries to cosmetics.

Wrong options:

• improperly: Improperly is an adverb that describes the manner of an action, which does not fit in this context as it does not relate to the variety of products.
• transformed: Transformed is a verb that describes a change, but it does not fit here as it does not indicate a range or variety of items.
• advantages: Advantages is a noun that refers to benefits, which does not fit the grammatical structure needed to describe the variety of products.

Correct answer: advantages

Explanation: The word 'advantages' is a plural noun that refers to the benefits or positive aspects of using plastic. It fits grammatically as it serves as the subject complement in the sentence, aligning with the context of discussing the positive outcomes of using plastic as a tool.

Meaning: Advantages refer to the favorable conditions or benefits that something provides, in this case, the benefits of using plastic.

Wrong options:

• conditions: Conditions refers to the state or circumstances surrounding something, which does not convey the positive aspects or benefits of plastic.
• resulting: Resulting is a present participle that indicates an outcome, but it does not fit as a noun to describe benefits.
• improperly: Improperly is an adverb that describes the manner of an action, which does not relate to the benefits of using plastic.

Correct answer: improperly

Explanation: The word 'improperly' is an adverb that describes the manner in which plastic can be used. It fits grammatically as it modifies the verb 'used,' indicating that the problems arise when plastic is not used correctly. This aligns with the context of discussing potential issues with plastic usage.

Meaning: Improperly means in a manner that is not proper or suitable, indicating misuse of plastic.

Wrong options:

• ranging: Ranging is a present participle that indicates variety, which does not fit as it does not describe the manner of usage.
• transformed: Transformed is a verb that indicates a change, but it does not fit as it does not describe how plastic is used.
• advantages: Advantages is a noun that refers to benefits, which does not fit as it does not describe the manner of usage.