Choose the most appropriate word from the options given below to complete the following sentence:

It was her view that the country's problems had been _______ by foreign technocrats, so that to invite them to come back would be counter-productive.

Problems: Understanding the Sentence Context

The key to correctly completing this sentence lies in understanding the implication of the phrase "counter-productive." The sentence states, "It was her view that the country's problems had been _______ by foreign technocrats, so that to invite them to come back would be counter-productive."

- The term "counter-productive" means that something has the opposite effect of what is desired, or makes a situation worse rather than better.
- If inviting the foreign technocrats back would be counter-productive, it logically follows that their previous involvement must have had a negative impact on the country's problems. They didn't solve or merely identify the problems; instead, they made them worse.

Options: Evaluating Word Choices

Let's analyze each given option in the context of the sentence:

- identified: This word means to recognize or pinpoint something. If the technocrats simply "identified" the problems, inviting them back might be helpful for implementing solutions, not "counter-productive." This option does not fit the negative consequence implied.
- ascertained: Similar to "identified," this means to discover or confirm something for certain. It implies gaining knowledge, not worsening a situation. Therefore, it does not align with the "counter-productive" outcome mentioned in the sentence.
- exacerbated: This verb means to make a problem, a bad situation, or a negative feeling worse. If the foreign technocrats "exacerbated" the country's problems, it means they intensified them or made them more severe. In this case, inviting them back would indeed be "counter-productive" because their past actions led to a worsening of the problems. This word perfectly fits the logical flow of the sentence.
- analysed: This means to examine something in detail to understand its nature or structure. While technocrats might analyze problems, this word itself does not suggest they made the problems worse. Analysis is often a prerequisite for solving problems and doesn't inherently imply a negative impact that would make their return "counter-productive."

Exacerbated: The Appropriate Word Choice

Considering the meaning of "counter-productive," the only word among the options that suggests the foreign technocrats' previous involvement made the country's problems worse is exacerbated. Therefore, "exacerbated" is the most appropriate word to complete the given sentence, creating a coherent and logical statement.