Which word completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
Answer:Before the development of synthetic pigments in the nineteenth century, painters relied on natural materials that were often scarce and prohibitively expensive. The advent of affordable, chemically manufactured colors did not merely expand the artist's palette; it also 【democratized】 the practice of painting, making it accessible to a wider class of amateur creators who had previously been excluded by the high cost of materials.
Answer
The correct word to fill the blank is 'democratized' (or 'democratised'), which means to make something accessible to everyone, matching the context of making painting available to a wider class of amateur creators who were previously excluded by high costs.
The correct answer is 'democratized' (or 'popularized'). The passage explains that the development of affordable synthetic pigments made painting accessible to a wider class of amateur creators who were previously excluded due to high costs. To 'democratize' a practice means to make it accessible or available to a broader, more diverse group of people, which perfectly fits this context.
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Words in Context: High-Utility Vocabulary