Meaning: 'Veterans' refers to people who have served in the armed forces, particularly those who have experienced combat.

Wrong options:

• lingering: The term 'lingering' is an adjective that describes something that remains, but it does not fit as a subject in this context.
• boost: 'Boost' is a verb that means to increase or improve, which does not fit as a subject referring to people.
• impact: 'Impact' is a noun that refers to the effect or influence of one thing on another, but it does not refer to people and cannot serve as a subject here.
• resting: 'Resting' is a gerund that implies a state of inactivity, which does not fit as a subject in this context.
• auteurs: 'Auteurs' is a plural noun referring to filmmakers or directors, which is unrelated to the context of military service.

Correct answer: impact

Explanation: The word 'impact' is a noun that indicates the effect or influence of battlefield trauma on veterans. It fits grammatically as the object of the verb 'leave' and aligns with the context of discussing how trauma affects functioning.

Meaning: 'Impact' refers to the strong effect or influence that something has on a situation or person.

Wrong options:

• lingering: 'Lingering' is an adjective that describes something that remains, but it does not fit as a verb to describe an action affecting ability.
• boost: 'Boost' is a verb that means to increase or improve, which does not fit in the context of describing an effect on ability.
• resting: 'Resting' is a gerund that implies a state of inactivity, which does not relate to the effect on functioning.
• veterans: 'Veterans' is a noun referring to people, which does not fit as a verb or noun describing the effect on ability.
• combat: 'Combat' is a noun that refers to fighting, which does not fit as a word describing the effect on functioning.

Correct answer: combat

Explanation: The word 'combat' is a noun that refers to fighting or warfare. It fits grammatically as the object of the preposition 'without,' indicating the absence of combat experience while still discussing the effects of military service.

Meaning: 'Combat' refers to active fighting or warfare, particularly in a military context.

Wrong options:

• lingering: 'Lingering' is an adjective that describes something that remains, which does not fit as a noun in this context.
• boost: 'Boost' is a verb that means to increase or improve, which does not fit as a noun describing a type of experience.
• impact: 'Impact' is a noun that refers to the effect or influence of something, but it does not relate to the absence of combat experience.
• resting: 'Resting' is a gerund that implies a state of inactivity, which does not fit as a noun in this context.
• veterans: 'Veterans' is a plural noun referring to people, which does not fit as a noun describing a type of experience.

Correct answer: lingering

Explanation: The word 'lingering' is an adjective that describes an effect that remains over time. It fits grammatically as it modifies the noun 'effect,' indicating that the effect of military service is subtle and persistent.

Meaning: 'Lingering' refers to something that continues to exist or is prolonged, often in a subtle way.

Wrong options:

• boost: 'Boost' is a verb that means to increase or improve, which does not fit as an adjective describing an effect.
• impact: 'Impact' is a noun that refers to the effect or influence of something, but it does not fit as an adjective describing the nature of the effect.
• resting: 'Resting' is a gerund that implies a state of inactivity, which does not fit as an adjective in this context.
• veterans: 'Veterans' is a plural noun referring to people, which does not fit as an adjective describing an effect.
• combat: 'Combat' is a noun that refers to fighting, which does not fit as an adjective describing the nature of the effect.