Meaning: 'Associated' means to be connected or linked with something.

Wrong options:

• dealt: Dealt is the past tense of deal, which does not fit grammatically or contextually as it implies handling or managing rather than a connection to diversity.
• projected: Projected is the past tense of project, which refers to estimating or forecasting and does not relate to the concept of diversity in the workplace.
• hired: Hired is the past tense of hire, which refers to employing someone and does not fit the context of discussing diversity's association with the workplace.
• eligible: Eligible means qualified or suitable, which does not fit the context of discussing the association of diversity with the workplace.
• scarce: Scarce means insufficient in quantity, which does not relate to the concept of association.

Correct answer: hired

Explanation: The word 'hired' is the past tense of hire, which fits grammatically as it describes the action of employing individuals based on specific criteria. This aligns with the context of discussing how people were employed in the workplace.

Meaning: 'Hired' means to employ someone for a job or position.

Wrong options:

• scarce: Scarce means insufficient in quantity, which does not fit the context of employment practices.
• dealt: Dealt is the past tense of deal, which does not relate to the action of hiring individuals.
• projected: Projected refers to estimating or forecasting, which does not fit the context of employment.
• eligible: Eligible means qualified or suitable, which does not describe the action of hiring.
• associated: Associated means connected or linked, which does not fit the context of describing how people were employed.

Correct answer: scarce

Explanation: The word 'scarce' fits grammatically as it describes a condition where qualified employees are in short supply. This aligns with the context of exceptions in hiring practices where qualified individuals were not readily available.

Meaning: 'Scarce' means insufficient in quantity or not easily available.

Wrong options:

• hired: Hired is the past tense of hire, which does not fit as it describes an action rather than a condition of availability.
• dealt: Dealt is the past tense of deal, which does not relate to the availability of employees.
• projected: Projected refers to estimating or forecasting, which does not fit the context of employee availability.
• eligible: Eligible means qualified or suitable, which does not describe the condition of availability.
• associated: Associated means connected or linked, which does not fit the context of describing the availability of qualified employees.