Meaning: 'Experiencing' means going through or undergoing a process or change.

Wrong options:

• promoting: Promoting is a gerund that implies actively supporting or advertising something, which does not fit the context of suburbs undergoing change.
• opening: Opening is a gerund that refers to the act of starting something, but it does not convey the process of change that gentrification entails.
• in: In is a preposition that does not fit as it cannot serve as a verb to describe the action of the suburbs.
• cottoned: Cottoned is a past participle that means to become aware of something, which does not fit the context of describing the suburbs' transformation.
• hyped: Hyped is a past participle that suggests excessive promotion or excitement, which does not accurately describe the process of gentrification.
• popular: Popular is an adjective that describes something well-liked, but it does not convey the action of undergoing change.

Correct answer: popular

Explanation: The term 'popular' is an adjective that describes the suburbs as being well-liked or favored by new residents. It fits grammatically and contextually as it highlights the change in perception of these areas.

Meaning: 'Popular' means well-liked or favored by many people.

Wrong options:

• experiencing: Experiencing is a verb form that does not fit as it cannot describe the state of being liked or favored.
• promoting: Promoting is a gerund that implies an action of support or advertisement, which does not describe the suburbs' appeal.
• opening: Opening is a gerund that refers to the act of starting something, which does not fit the context of describing the suburbs' popularity.
• in: In is a preposition that does not serve as an adjective to describe the suburbs' appeal.
• cottoned: Cottoned is a past participle that means to become aware of something, which does not fit the context of describing popularity.
• hyped: Hyped is a past participle that suggests excessive promotion, which does not accurately describe the state of being liked.

Correct answer: opening

Explanation: The word 'opening' is a gerund that fits grammatically as it describes the action of new restaurants and markets starting up. It aligns with the context of development and attraction in the suburbs.

Meaning: 'Opening' refers to the act of starting or launching something, in this case, new establishments.

Wrong options:

• experiencing: Experiencing is a verb that does not fit as it cannot describe the action of starting new businesses.
• promoting: Promoting is a gerund that implies an action of support or advertisement, which does not fit the context of new establishments starting.
• in: In is a preposition that does not serve as a verb to describe the action of new businesses beginning.
• cottoned: Cottoned is a past participle that means to become aware of something, which does not fit the context of describing new openings.
• hyped: Hyped is a past participle that suggests excessive promotion, which does not accurately describe the act of starting new businesses.
• popular: Popular is an adjective that describes something well-liked, but it does not convey the action of new establishments starting.

Correct answer: cottoned

Explanation: The term 'cottoned' is a past participle that fits grammatically as it indicates that developers have become aware of the trend. It aligns with the context of recognizing and responding to changes in the market.

Meaning: 'Cottoned' means to become aware of or to understand something.

Wrong options:

• experiencing: Experiencing is a verb that does not fit as it cannot describe the awareness of developers regarding a trend.
• promoting: Promoting is a gerund that implies an action of support or advertisement, which does not fit the context of developers recognizing a trend.
• opening: Opening is a gerund that refers to the act of starting something, which does not fit the context of developers becoming aware.
• in: In is a preposition that does not serve as a verb to describe the awareness of developers.
• hyped: Hyped is a past participle that suggests excessive promotion, which does not accurately describe the developers' awareness of a trend.
• popular: Popular is an adjective that describes something well-liked, but it does not convey the action of developers becoming aware.