Meaning: Deprivation means the state of not having enough of something, particularly something necessary for health or well-being, like sleep.

Wrong options:

• marvelous: 'Marvelous' is an adjective that describes something wonderful, which does not fit the context of discussing a lack of sleep.
• abundance: 'Abundance' is a noun that means a large quantity of something, which contradicts the idea of sleep being a global issue; it implies excess rather than lack.
• mounting: 'Mounting' is an adjective that suggests increasing or accumulating, but it does not convey the idea of lacking sleep, making it contextually inappropriate.
• meant: 'Meant' is a verb that indicates intention, which does not fit as a noun to describe the issue of sleep.
• decreasing: 'Decreasing' is a verb form that suggests a reduction, but it does not serve as a noun to describe the issue of sleep.

Correct answer: decreasing

Explanation: The word 'decreasing' is a gerund that describes the action of becoming less over time. It fits grammatically as it follows the verb 'is' and describes the current trend in sleep amounts. The context of the sentence discusses a decline in sleep, making this choice appropriate.

Meaning: Decreasing means becoming smaller or less in amount, which in this context refers to the reduction of sleep over decades.

Wrong options:

• meant: 'Meant' is a verb that indicates intention, which does not fit the context of describing a trend in sleep amounts.
• odd: 'Odd' is an adjective that describes something unusual, which does not relate to the trend of sleep amounts.
• abundance: 'Abundance' implies a large quantity, which contradicts the context of sleep being less over time.
• deprivation: 'Deprivation' is a noun that refers to the lack of something, but it does not describe the action of sleep amounts changing.
• onslaught: 'Onslaught' is a noun that refers to a fierce or destructive attack, which does not fit the context of describing a trend.

Correct answer: onslaught

Explanation: The term 'onslaught' refers to a fierce or destructive attack, which in this context describes the overwhelming impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sleep patterns. It fits grammatically as a noun that serves as the subject of the clause, indicating a significant force affecting sleep.

Meaning: Onslaught means a fierce or violent attack, and here it metaphorically describes the overwhelming challenges posed by the pandemic.

Wrong options:

• meant: 'Meant' is a verb that indicates intention and does not fit as a noun describing the impact of the pandemic.
• deprivation: 'Deprivation' refers to a lack of something, which does not convey the idea of an overwhelming force affecting sleep.
• decreasing: 'Decreasing' is a verb form that describes a reduction, but it does not capture the idea of an attack or overwhelming force.
• odd: 'Odd' is an adjective that describes something unusual, which does not fit the context of describing the impact of the pandemic.
• mounting: 'Mounting' is an adjective that suggests increasing, but it does not convey the idea of a fierce attack.

Correct answer: meant

Explanation: The word 'meant' serves as a verb indicating intention or purpose. In this context, it suggests that people are intended to have routines, fitting grammatically as it follows the subject 'people' and aligns with the context of discussing sleep routines.

Meaning: Meant refers to the intention or purpose behind something, indicating that routines are essential for sleep.

Wrong options:

• marvelous: 'Marvelous' is an adjective that describes something wonderful, which does not fit the context of discussing routines.
• deprivation: 'Deprivation' is a noun that refers to a lack of something, which does not fit as a verb indicating intention.
• decreasing: 'Decreasing' is a verb form that describes a reduction, which does not convey the idea of intention or purpose.
• odd: 'Odd' is an adjective that describes something unusual, which does not fit the context of discussing routines.
• onslaught: 'Onslaught' is a noun that refers to an attack, which does not fit as a verb indicating intention.

Correct answer: odd

Explanation: The term 'odd' is an adjective that describes something unusual or out of the ordinary. It fits grammatically as it modifies the noun 'times,' indicating that the times people woke up and went to sleep were not typical. The context of discussing disrupted routines during the pandemic aligns with this choice.

Meaning: Odd means unusual or not normal, referring to the atypical times people were waking up and going to sleep.

Wrong options:

• meant: 'Meant' is a verb that indicates intention, which does not fit as an adjective describing times.
• deprivation: 'Deprivation' is a noun that refers to a lack of something, which does not describe the nature of the times people were waking up.
• decreasing: 'Decreasing' is a verb form that describes a reduction, which does not fit as an adjective for times.
• onslaught: 'Onslaught' is a noun that refers to an attack, which does not fit as an adjective describing times.
• abundance: 'Abundance' is a noun that means a large quantity, which contradicts the context of describing unusual times.