Re: As parents spend considerably more time and money on travel teams and
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30 May 2025, 01:05
The sentence discusses how parents are investing more time and money into youth sports (e.g., travel teams, expensive equipment). This increased investment seems to be leading them to reconsider or challenge the "supposed innocence" of youth sports.
Key points:
1. Parents are spending more on youth sports (time/money).
2. This is causing them to $\qquad$ the "supposed innocence" of youth sports.
- "Supposed innocence" implies that youth sports are traditionally viewed as pure, simple, or free from commercialization/pressure.
- The blank should reflect how parents are now viewing this innocence due to their increased investment.
Analyzing the Options
We need a verb that fits the context of parents reassessing the innocence of youth sports due to heightened involvement/costs.
A. appreciate
- Meaning: Recognize the value of; be grateful for.
- Fit: Doesn't make sense. Increased spending wouldn't make parents "appreciate" innocence more. Likely the opposite.
- Reject.
B. ameliorate
- Meaning: Make something bad better.
- Fit: "Ameliorate innocence" is nonsensical. Innocence isn't a problem to fix.
- Reject.
C. question
- Meaning: Doubt or challenge the truth of something.
- Fit: Parents might start doubting whether youth sports are truly "innocent" given the commercialization/pressure.
- Strong candidate.
D. abhor
- Meaning: Regard with disgust or hatred.
- Fit: Too extreme. Parents aren't likely to "hate" the innocence; they might just doubt it.
- Reject.
E. subsidize
- Meaning: Financially support.
- Fit: Doesn't make sense in this context. The sentence is about perception, not funding.
- Reject.
Why "Question" Fits Best
- The phrase "supposed innocence" suggests that the innocence may not be real or is overstated.
- Increased spending on travel teams/equipment implies commercialization or pressure, which contrasts with the idea of innocence.
- Thus, parents are likely starting to question whether youth sports are as innocent as traditionally believed.
Verifying Tone and Logic
- The tone isn't extreme (no disgust/hatred), so "abhor" is too strong.
- "Appreciate" contradicts the implied criticism of commercialization.
- "Question" aligns perfectly with the idea of doubting innocence due to modern realities.
Final Answer
C. question is the correct choice.
Correct Answer: C