Meaning: 'Took' refers to the action of requiring time to accomplish something, in this case, the completion of the Encyclopédie.

Wrong options:

• setting: Setting is a present participle that does not convey the past action of duration needed for completion.
• surpassing: Surpassing is a present participle that indicates exceeding but does not relate to the time taken for completion.
• comprising: Comprising is a present participle that describes inclusion but does not fit the context of time taken.
• relying: Relying is a present participle that indicates dependence, which does not relate to the completion time.
• submitting: Submitting is a present participle that refers to the act of presenting something, which does not fit the context of duration.
• listed: Listed is a past participle that indicates something has been enumerated, which does not relate to the time taken for completion.

Correct answer: comprising

Explanation: The term 'comprising' is used to indicate that the 28 volumes consist of text and illustrations. It fits grammatically as it describes the contents of the Encyclopédie.

Meaning: 'Comprising' means to consist of or include, referring to the components that make up the 28 volumes.

Wrong options:

• took: Took does not fit here as it refers to time, not the contents of the volumes.
• setting: Setting is a present participle that does not relate to the composition of the volumes.
• surpassing: Surpassing indicates exceeding but does not describe the contents of the volumes.
• relying: Relying does not fit as it refers to dependence, not the composition of the volumes.
• submitting: Submitting does not relate to the contents of the volumes and is not appropriate in this context.
• listed: Listed refers to enumeration and does not describe the composition of the volumes.

Correct answer: surpassing

Explanation: The word 'surpassing' is a present participle that indicates the Encyclopédie exceeds its contemporaries in scope and depth. It fits grammatically and contextually as it describes a comparison with other works.

Meaning: 'Surpassing' means to exceed or go beyond, indicating that the Encyclopédie is greater than its contemporaries.

Wrong options:

• took: Took does not fit as it refers to time, not a comparison of quality or scope.
• setting: Setting does not relate to the act of exceeding and is not appropriate in this context.
• comprising: Comprising describes contents, not a comparative quality, making it unsuitable here.
• relying: Relying does not fit as it refers to dependence, not a comparative measure.
• submitting: Submitting does not relate to comparison and is not appropriate in this context.
• listed: Listed refers to enumeration and does not convey the idea of exceeding.

Correct answer: setting

Explanation: The term 'setting' is a present participle that indicates the Encyclopédie establishes a standard or benchmark for future encyclopedias. It fits grammatically and contextually as it describes the action of creating a benchmark.

Meaning: 'Setting' means to establish or create, in this case, a benchmark for future works.

Wrong options:

• took: Took does not fit as it refers to time, not the act of establishing a benchmark.
• surpassing: Surpassing indicates exceeding but does not relate to the act of setting a benchmark.
• comprising: Comprising describes contents, not the action of establishing a standard, making it unsuitable here.
• relying: Relying does not fit as it refers to dependence, not the act of establishing a benchmark.
• submitting: Submitting does not relate to the act of setting a standard and is not appropriate in this context.
• listed: Listed refers to enumeration and does not convey the idea of establishing a benchmark.