Meaning: 'Lead' means to cause or result in something.

Wrong options:

• responsive: 'Responsive' is an adjective that describes the ability to react quickly, which does not fit the grammatical structure needed here.
• instant: 'Instant' is an adjective that describes something immediate, but it does not fit as a verb in this context.
• blend: 'Blend' is a verb that means to mix, which does not relate to the potential consequences of bad news.
• acknowledge: 'Acknowledge' is a verb that means to recognize or admit, which does not fit the context of causing problems.
• contributing: 'Contributing' is a gerund that does not fit grammatically as it does not serve as a verb in this sentence.
• positive: 'Positive' is an adjective that describes something good, which does not fit as a verb in this context.
• wide: 'Wide' is an adjective that describes extent or range, which does not fit as a verb.

Correct answer: contributing

Explanation: The word 'contributing' serves as a gerund that describes the action of adding to the rise in crime and violence. It fits grammatically and contextually as it indicates a factor that plays a role in the issue.

Meaning: 'Contributing' means to play a part in causing something.

Wrong options:

• wide: 'Wide' is an adjective that describes extent or range, which does not fit as a noun or gerund in this context.
• positive: 'Positive' is an adjective that does not fit grammatically as it does not describe a measure.
• lead: 'Lead' is a verb that does not fit as it does not serve as a noun or gerund in this context.
• responsive: 'Responsive' is an adjective that describes the ability to react, which does not fit as a measure.
• instant: 'Instant' is an adjective that does not fit grammatically as it does not describe a measure.
• blend: 'Blend' is a verb that means to mix, which does not fit as a measure in this context.
• acknowledge: 'Acknowledge' is a verb that means to recognize, which does not fit as a measure.

Correct answer: wide

Explanation: The adjective 'wide' describes the range of media available, fitting grammatically and contextually as it indicates the extent of sources from which news can be accessed.

Meaning: 'Wide' means having a large extent or range.

Wrong options:

• positive: 'Positive' is an adjective that describes something good, which does not fit the context of describing a range.
• lead: 'Lead' is a verb that does not fit as it does not describe the extent of media.
• responsive: 'Responsive' is an adjective that describes the ability to react, which does not fit in this context.
• instant: 'Instant' is an adjective that describes immediacy, which does not fit as a descriptor of range.
• blend: 'Blend' is a verb that means to mix, which does not fit as a descriptor of media.
• acknowledge: 'Acknowledge' is a verb that means to recognize, which does not fit as a descriptor of media.
• contributing: 'Contributing' is a gerund that does not fit as it does not describe the range of media.

Correct answer: acknowledge

Explanation: The verb 'acknowledge' fits grammatically as it follows the subject 'I' and indicates the speaker's recognition of the benefits of instant access. It aligns contextually with the discussion of media's impact.

Meaning: 'Acknowledge' means to recognize or admit the existence or truth of something.

Wrong options:

• wide: 'Wide' is an adjective that describes extent or range, which does not fit as a verb in this context.
• positive: 'Positive' is an adjective that does not fit grammatically as it does not serve as a verb.
• lead: 'Lead' is a verb that does not fit as it does not relate to recognizing benefits.
• responsive: 'Responsive' is an adjective that describes the ability to react, which does not fit as a verb.
• instant: 'Instant' is an adjective that does not fit grammatically as it does not serve as a verb.
• blend: 'Blend' is a verb that means to mix, which does not fit in this context.
• contributing: 'Contributing' is a gerund that does not fit as it does not serve as a verb.

Correct answer: positive

Explanation: The adjective 'positive' fits grammatically as it describes the type of stories that should be encouraged in the media. It aligns contextually with the need for balance against negative news.

Meaning: 'Positive' means good or beneficial.

Wrong options:

• wide: 'Wide' is an adjective that describes extent or range, which does not fit as a descriptor of stories.
• lead: 'Lead' is a verb that does not fit as it does not describe the type of stories.
• responsive: 'Responsive' is an adjective that describes the ability to react, which does not fit in this context.
• instant: 'Instant' is an adjective that does not fit grammatically as it does not describe a type of story.
• blend: 'Blend' is a verb that means to mix, which does not fit as a descriptor of stories.
• acknowledge: 'Acknowledge' is a verb that means to recognize, which does not fit as a descriptor of stories.
• contributing: 'Contributing' is a gerund that does not fit as it does not describe a type of story.