A.I. Explanation:

Correct answer: so too

Explanation: The phrase 'so too' indicates that the action of burying faces in mobile devices is similarly applicable to Victorians, maintaining grammatical consistency and contextual relevance with the comparison being drawn between modern and historical reading habits.

Meaning: 'So too' means 'in the same way' or 'also,' suggesting that just as we engage with our devices, Victorians engaged with their reading materials.

Wrong options:

• either: The word 'either' suggests a choice between two options, which does not fit the context of comparison being made here.
• neither: 'Neither' indicates a negative choice between two items, which contradicts the positive comparison intended in the sentence.
• whether: 'Whether' introduces alternatives or conditions, which does not align with the affirmative comparison being made.

Correct answer: Costing

Explanation: The gerund 'Costing' functions as a subject in this context, indicating the price of the penny fiction, fitting grammatically and contextually as it describes the action of costing in a continuous sense.

Meaning: 'Costing' refers to the act of having a price, specifically indicating that the penny fiction was priced at one old penny.

Wrong options:

• Costed: 'Costed' is the past tense form that is not appropriate here, as the sentence requires a present participle to describe the ongoing nature of the price.
• Having costed: This phrase suggests a completed action, which does not fit the context of describing the price of the novels in a general sense.
• Cost: 'Cost' is a simple past form that does not align with the grammatical structure needed for this sentence.

Correct answer: such as

Explanation: The phrase 'such as' introduces examples, making it grammatically and contextually appropriate to specify Mudie's as an example of circulating libraries.

Meaning: 'Such as' means 'for example,' indicating that Mudie's is one of the libraries being referenced.

Wrong options:

• other than: 'Other than' implies exclusion, which does not fit the context of providing an example of circulating libraries.
• that is: 'That is' is used for clarification, but does not serve the purpose of introducing an example as required here.
• as to: 'As to' indicates a relationship or reference, which does not appropriately introduce an example.

Correct answer: could afford

Explanation: The phrase 'could afford' indicates the ability to pay for something in the past, fitting grammatically and contextually as it describes the financial capability of working-class people regarding first editions.

Meaning: 'Could afford' means having the financial means to purchase something, specifically referring to the ability to buy first editions.

Wrong options:

• afford: 'Afford' is a base form that does not fit the past context of the sentence, which requires a modal verb to indicate ability.
• having afforded: This phrase suggests a completed action, which does not align with the ongoing context of financial capability being discussed.
• affording: 'Affording' is a gerund that does not fit the grammatical structure needed to express past ability.

Correct answer: would

Explanation: The word 'would' indicates a habitual action in the past, fitting grammatically and contextually as it describes the regular occurrence of collecting among wealthier classes.

Meaning: 'Would' implies a repeated or customary action, suggesting that it was common for wealthier classes to collect books.

Wrong options:

• could: 'Could' indicates ability but does not convey the habitual nature of the action as effectively as 'would.'
• should: 'Should' implies obligation or recommendation, which does not fit the context of describing a past habit.
• did: 'Did' is a simple past form that does not convey the habitual aspect of the action being described.