Meaning: 'Proposed' means to put forward an idea or plan for consideration.

Wrong options:

• excused: 'Excused' is the past participle of 'excuse,' which does not fit the context of suggesting a policy.
• postpone: 'Postpone' means to delay or defer an action, which contradicts the idea of initiating a policy.
• offset: 'Offset' means to counterbalance or compensate, which does not relate to the act of proposing a policy.
• dominate: 'Dominate' means to have control over something, which is unrelated to the act of proposing.
• sought: 'Sought' is the past tense of 'seek,' which does not fit as it does not convey the action of proposing.

Correct answer: sought

Explanation: The word 'sought' is the past tense of 'seek,' which fits grammatically as it indicates an intention or desire that was pursued in the past. This aligns with the context of ensuring equal access to markets.

Meaning: 'Sought' means to attempt to find or achieve something.

Wrong options:

• excused: 'Excused' does not relate to the intention of ensuring access and is grammatically irrelevant here.
• postpone: 'Postpone' implies delaying an action, which contradicts the proactive nature of seeking equal access.
• offset: 'Offset' does not convey the intention of seeking and is unrelated to the context of access.
• dominate: 'Dominate' implies control, which is contrary to the idea of ensuring equal access.
• proposed: 'Proposed' refers to suggesting an idea, which does not fit the context of actively seeking access.

Correct answer: dominate

Explanation: The word 'dominate' is a verb that fits grammatically as it describes the action of having control over something. In this context, it aligns with the intention of preventing any single power from exerting control over China.

Meaning: 'Dominate' means to have a commanding influence or control over something.

Wrong options:

• excused: 'Excused' does not relate to control and is irrelevant in this context.
• postpone: 'Postpone' implies delaying an action, which does not fit the context of control.
• offset: 'Offset' means to counterbalance, which does not convey the idea of control.
• sought: 'Sought' refers to the act of seeking, which does not fit the context of exerting control.
• proposed: 'Proposed' refers to suggesting an idea, which does not relate to the action of dominating.

Correct answer: play

Explanation: The word 'play' is a verb that fits grammatically as it indicates the action of participating or taking part in something. In this context, it aligns with the desire of the United States to be actively involved in world affairs.

Meaning: 'Play' means to take part in or engage in an activity.

Wrong options:

• excused: 'Excused' does not relate to active participation and is irrelevant in this context.
• postpone: 'Postpone' implies delaying an action, which contradicts the idea of being active in world affairs.
• offset: 'Offset' means to counterbalance, which does not convey the idea of participation.
• sought: 'Sought' refers to the act of seeking, which does not fit the context of actively playing a role.
• proposed: 'Proposed' refers to suggesting an idea, which does not relate to the action of playing an active role.