Meaning: To 'face' means to confront or deal with something difficult.

Wrong options:

• want: 'Want' is a verb that indicates desire, which does not fit the context of confronting a problem.
• afford: 'Afford' is a verb that means to have enough money to pay for something, which does not relate to the subject of facing a problem.
• close: 'Close' is a verb that means to shut something, which does not fit the context of the sentence.
• buy: 'Buy' is a verb that means to purchase something, which does not relate to the action of confronting a problem.
• run: 'Run' is a verb that means to operate or manage, which does not fit the context of facing a problem.
• extend: 'Extend' is a verb that means to increase in length or duration, which does not relate to the subject of facing a problem.

Correct answer: want

Explanation: The verb 'want' is appropriate here as it indicates the desire of non-residents to purchase holiday homes. It fits grammatically in the present tense, aligning with the subject 'non-residents' which is plural.

Meaning: To 'want' means to have a desire for something.

Wrong options:

• face: 'Face' is a verb that means to confront a problem, which does not fit the context of expressing desire.
• afford: 'Afford' means to have enough money to buy something, which does not express desire.
• close: 'Close' is a verb that means to shut something, which does not fit the context of wanting to buy.
• buy: 'Buy' is a verb that means to purchase something, which does not express the desire itself.
• run: 'Run' is a verb that means to operate or manage, which does not fit the context of expressing desire.
• increase: 'Increase' is a verb that means to make something larger, which does not relate to the desire to purchase.

Correct answer: increase

Explanation: The verb 'increase' fits here as it describes the action of raising the value of homes. It is in the present tense, which is consistent with the overall tense of the passage.

Meaning: To 'increase' means to make something larger or greater in amount.

Wrong options:

• face: 'Face' means to confront a problem, which does not fit the context of raising home values.
• want: 'Want' indicates desire, which does not relate to the action of raising values.
• afford: 'Afford' means to have enough money to pay for something, which does not fit the context of increasing value.
• close: 'Close' means to shut something, which does not relate to the action of increasing value.
• run: 'Run' means to operate or manage, which does not fit the context of increasing value.
• buy: 'Buy' means to purchase something, which does not relate to the action of increasing value.

Correct answer: afford

Explanation: The verb 'afford' is appropriate here as it indicates the ability of locals to pay for homes. It fits grammatically in the present tense, aligning with the subject 'locals' which is plural.

Meaning: To 'afford' means to have enough money to pay for something.

Wrong options:

• face: 'Face' means to confront a problem, which does not fit the context of being able to pay for homes.
• want: 'Want' indicates desire, which does not relate to the ability to pay for homes.
• close: 'Close' means to shut something, which does not fit the context of financial ability.
• buy: 'Buy' means to purchase something, which does not relate to the ability to pay for homes.
• run: 'Run' means to operate or manage, which does not fit the context of financial ability.
• increase: 'Increase' means to make something larger, which does not relate to the ability to pay for homes.

Correct answer: close

Explanation: The verb 'close' fits here as it describes the action of businesses shutting down during winter. It is in the present tense, consistent with the overall tense of the passage.

Meaning: To 'close' means to shut something, such as a business.

Wrong options:

• face: 'Face' means to confront a problem, which does not fit the context of businesses shutting down.
• want: 'Want' indicates desire, which does not relate to the action of businesses closing.
• afford: 'Afford' means to have enough money to pay for something, which does not fit the context of businesses closing.
• buy: 'Buy' means to purchase something, which does not relate to the action of businesses closing.
• run: 'Run' means to operate or manage, which does not fit the context of businesses closing.
• increase: 'Increase' means to make something larger, which does not relate to the action of businesses closing.