Meaning: To 'accelerate' means to increase in speed or rate.

Wrong options:

• accumulated: Accumulated is a past participle that means to gather or collect over time, which does not fit the context of rapid growth.
• appalled: Appalled is an adjective that expresses shock or dismay, which does not fit grammatically as a verb in this context.
• astonished: Astonished is an adjective that describes a state of surprise, which does not fit as a verb to indicate growth.
• tracks: Tracks is a verb that means to follow or monitor, which does not convey the idea of growth or speed.
• exceed: Exceed is a verb that means to go beyond a limit, which does not fit the context of describing the speed of growth.
• stupefy: Stupefy is a verb that means to shock or stun, which does not relate to the concept of acceleration.

Correct answer: astonished

Explanation: The word 'astonished' is an adjective that describes the reaction of experts to the surprising figures. It fits grammatically as it describes the state of experts in relation to the figures mentioned.

Meaning: To be 'astonished' means to be greatly surprised or impressed.

Wrong options:

• tracks: Tracks is a verb that does not fit in this context as it does not describe a reaction to the figures.
• accumulated: Accumulated is a past participle that does not convey a reaction and does not fit the context.
• accelerated: Accelerated is a verb that indicates speed, which does not describe the experts' reaction.
• appalled: Appalled is an adjective that expresses shock, but it does not fit the context of surprise related to figures.
• exceed: Exceed is a verb that means to go beyond a limit, which does not describe a reaction to the figures.
• stupefy: Stupefy is a verb that means to shock or stun, which does not fit as a description of experts' feelings.

Correct answer: exceed

Explanation: The verb 'exceed' fits grammatically as it indicates that the remittances are expected to surpass a certain amount. It aligns with the context of financial expectations regarding remittances.

Meaning: To 'exceed' means to go beyond a specified limit or amount.

Wrong options:

• tracks: Tracks is a verb that means to follow or monitor, which does not fit the context of financial expectations.
• astonished: Astonished is an adjective that describes surprise, which does not fit as a verb indicating an expectation.
• accelerated: Accelerated is a verb that indicates speed, which does not relate to the concept of financial amounts.
• appalled: Appalled is an adjective that expresses shock, which does not fit in the context of financial expectations.
• accumulated: Accumulated is a past participle that means to gather over time, which does not fit the context of exceeding an amount.
• stupefy: Stupefy is a verb that means to shock or stun, which does not relate to financial expectations.

Correct answer: tracks

Explanation: The verb 'tracks' fits grammatically as it indicates that the World Bank monitors or follows the figures. It aligns with the context of data collection and analysis.

Meaning: To 'track' means to follow or monitor something over time.

Wrong options:

• astonished: Astonished is an adjective that describes surprise, which does not fit as a verb indicating monitoring.
• accelerated: Accelerated is a verb that indicates speed, which does not relate to the action of monitoring figures.
• exceed: Exceed is a verb that means to go beyond a limit, which does not fit in the context of monitoring.
• appalled: Appalled is an adjective that expresses shock, which does not fit as a verb in this context.
• accumulated: Accumulated is a past participle that means to gather over time, which does not fit the context of monitoring figures.
• stupefy: Stupefy is a verb that means to shock or stun, which does not relate to the action of tracking.

Correct answer: impact

Explanation: The noun 'impact' fits grammatically as it refers to the effect or influence of remittances. It aligns with the context of discussing the consequences of remittances on poor countries.

Meaning: 'Impact' refers to the strong effect or influence that something has.

Wrong options:

• astonished: Astonished is an adjective that describes surprise, which does not fit as a noun describing effects.
• accelerated: Accelerated is a verb that indicates speed, which does not relate to the concept of effects or influence.
• exceed: Exceed is a verb that means to go beyond a limit, which does not fit in the context of discussing effects.
• appalled: Appalled is an adjective that expresses shock, which does not fit as a noun describing effects.
• accumulated: Accumulated is a past participle that means to gather over time, which does not fit the context of discussing effects.
• stupefy: Stupefy is a verb that means to shock or stun, which does not relate to the concept of impact.