Meaning: 'Convenience' refers to the state of being able to proceed with something with little effort or difficulty, in this case, the easy access to food.

Wrong options:

• employing: The term 'employing' is a gerund that implies using something, which does not fit as a subject in this context.
• reducing: 'Reducing' is a gerund that suggests a decrease, but it does not serve as a subject and is not relevant here.
• contrasting: 'Contrasting' is a gerund that indicates a comparison, which does not fit the context of discussing the ease of food availability.
• bringing: 'Bringing' is a gerund that implies an action of causing something to come, which does not fit as a subject in this context.
• reliance: 'Reliance' is a noun that indicates dependence, but it does not fit the context of describing the ease of food availability.
• survey: 'Survey' is a noun that refers to an examination or inquiry, which does not relate to the subject of convenience in food.

Correct answer: bringing

Explanation: The word 'bringing' is a gerund that functions as the subject of the clause, indicating the action of uniting families through cooking. It fits grammatically and contextually as it describes the positive aspect of cooking in the past.

Meaning: 'Bringing' refers to the action of causing something to come together, in this case, families coming together through cooking.

Wrong options:

• employing: 'Employing' is a gerund that means using something, which does not fit the context of uniting families.
• reducing: 'Reducing' is a gerund that implies a decrease, which does not relate to the action of bringing families together.
• convenience: 'Convenience' is a noun that does not fit as it does not describe an action related to family bonding.
• contrasting: 'Contrasting' is a gerund that indicates a comparison, which does not fit the context of family unity through cooking.
• reliance: 'Reliance' is a noun that indicates dependence, which does not relate to the action of bringing families together.
• survey: 'Survey' is a noun that refers to an examination, which does not fit the context of family bonding.

Correct answer: reliance

Explanation: The word 'reliance' is a noun that serves as the subject of the clause, indicating dependence on quick food options. It fits grammatically and contextually as it describes the shift in eating habits due to lifestyle changes.

Meaning: 'Reliance' refers to the state of depending on something, in this case, the dependence on quick food options.

Wrong options:

• employing: 'Employing' is a gerund that means using something, which does not fit as a subject in this context.
• reducing: 'Reducing' is a gerund that implies a decrease, which does not relate to the concept of dependence.
• convenience: 'Convenience' is a noun that refers to ease, but it does not fit as a subject indicating dependence on food options.
• bringing: 'Bringing' is a gerund that indicates an action of uniting, which does not fit the context of dependence.
• contrasting: 'Contrasting' is a gerund that indicates a comparison, which does not fit the context of reliance on food options.
• survey: 'Survey' is a noun that refers to an examination, which does not relate to the concept of reliance.

Correct answer: reducing

Explanation: The word 'reducing' is a gerund that functions as the subject of the clause, indicating the action of lessening family bonding time. It fits grammatically and contextually as it describes the negative impact of fast food on family interactions.

Meaning: 'Reducing' refers to the action of making something smaller or less in amount, in this case, family bonding time.

Wrong options:

• employing: 'Employing' is a gerund that means using something, which does not fit the context of decreasing family time.
• convenience: 'Convenience' is a noun that refers to ease, but it does not fit as it does not describe an action related to family bonding.
• bringing: 'Bringing' is a gerund that indicates an action of uniting, which does not fit the context of reducing family time.
• reliance: 'Reliance' is a noun that indicates dependence, which does not relate to the action of reducing family bonding.
• contrasting: 'Contrasting' is a gerund that indicates a comparison, which does not fit the context of family bonding time.
• survey: 'Survey' is a noun that refers to an examination, which does not relate to the action of reducing.