Meaning: 'Intensity' indicates the degree of strength or force of an earthquake.

Wrong options:

• changes: 'Changes' is a plural noun that refers to modifications, which does not fit the context of measuring earthquake severity.
• decrease: 'Decrease' is a noun that indicates a reduction, which does not relate to the measurement of earthquake strength.
• relatively: 'Relatively' is an adverb that compares two things but does not serve as a noun to describe the earthquake's severity.
• resistant: 'Resistant' is an adjective that describes the ability to withstand something, which does not fit as a noun in this context.
• safety: 'Safety' is a noun that refers to the condition of being protected, which does not relate to the measurement of earthquake strength.
• accordingly: 'Accordingly' is an adverb that indicates a consequence or result, which does not fit as a noun in this context.

Correct answer: relatively

Explanation: The term 'relatively' is an adverb that indicates a comparison, suggesting that the number of injuries and deaths was lower in comparison to the other earthquake mentioned. It fits grammatically and contextually as it modifies 'less.'

Meaning: 'Relatively' means in relation or in proportion to something else.

Wrong options:

• changes: 'Changes' is a noun that does not fit grammatically as it cannot modify 'less.'
• decrease: 'Decrease' is a noun that indicates a reduction, which does not fit as it does not modify 'less.'
• intensity: 'Intensity' is a noun that does not serve as an adverb to modify 'less.'
• resistant: 'Resistant' is an adjective that does not fit as it cannot modify 'less.'
• safety: 'Safety' is a noun that does not fit grammatically as it cannot modify 'less.'
• accordingly: 'Accordingly' is an adverb that indicates a consequence but does not fit as a modifier for 'less.'

Correct answer: changes

Explanation: The word 'changes' is a plural noun that refers to the modifications made to construction codes. It fits grammatically as the subject of the clause and contextually as it explains the improvements that contributed to the city's resilience.

Meaning: 'Changes' refers to modifications or alterations that have been made.

Wrong options:

• decrease: 'Decrease' is a noun that indicates a reduction, which does not fit as it does not refer to modifications in construction codes.
• relatively: 'Relatively' is an adverb that cannot serve as a noun in this context.
• intensity: 'Intensity' is a noun that refers to strength, which does not fit as it does not relate to modifications in construction codes.
• resistant: 'Resistant' is an adjective that describes the ability to withstand something, which does not fit as a noun here.
• safety: 'Safety' is a noun that refers to the condition of being protected, which does not relate to modifications in construction codes.
• accordingly: 'Accordingly' is an adverb that indicates a consequence, which does not fit as a noun in this context.

Correct answer: resistant

Explanation: The word 'resistant' is an adjective that describes the buildings and highways as being able to withstand earthquakes. It fits grammatically as it modifies the noun 'buildings' and 'highways' and contextually as it relates to the improvements made.

Meaning: 'Resistant' means able to withstand or not affected by something.

Wrong options:

• changes: 'Changes' is a noun that does not fit as it cannot describe the buildings and highways.
• decrease: 'Decrease' is a noun that indicates a reduction, which does not fit as it does not describe the buildings' ability.
• relatively: 'Relatively' is an adverb that cannot serve as an adjective to describe the buildings and highways.
• intensity: 'Intensity' is a noun that refers to strength, which does not fit as it does not describe the buildings' ability.
• safety: 'Safety' is a noun that refers to the condition of being protected, which does not fit as an adjective here.
• accordingly: 'Accordingly' is an adverb that indicates a consequence, which does not fit as an adjective in this context.