A.I. Explanation:

Correct answer: sustainable

Explanation: The word 'sustainable' fits grammatically as an adjective describing 'methods.' It conveys the idea of methods that can be maintained over time without harming the environment, which aligns with the context of pest control in agriculture.

Meaning: Sustainable refers to methods that can be maintained without depleting resources or causing harm to the environment.

Wrong options:

• tricky: 'Tricky' is an adjective that describes something difficult or complicated, which does not fit the context of methods for pest control.
• exposing: 'Exposing' is a gerund that implies revealing something, which does not appropriately describe methods for pest control.
• pressing: 'Pressing' is an adjective that indicates urgency, but it does not describe the nature of the methods themselves.
• identifying: 'Identifying' is a gerund that refers to the act of recognizing, which does not fit as a descriptor for methods.

Correct answer: pressing

Explanation: The term 'pressing' serves as an adjective that conveys urgency, fitting well with the context of the sentence which discusses a worldwide concern in agriculture.

Meaning: Pressing means urgent or requiring immediate attention.

Wrong options:

• tricky: 'Tricky' does not convey urgency and instead suggests difficulty, which is not appropriate in this context.
• sustainable: 'Sustainable' describes methods rather than the urgency of the concern, making it an incorrect fit here.
• identifying: 'Identifying' is a gerund that does not convey urgency and does not fit grammatically as an adjective in this context.
• developing: 'Developing' is a gerund that refers to the process of creating, which does not describe the nature of the concern.

Correct answer: developing

Explanation: The word 'developing' is a gerund that fits grammatically as it describes the action of creating less toxic pesticides, aligning with the context of the sentence.

Meaning: Developing refers to the process of creating or improving something, in this case, pesticides.

Wrong options:

• sustainable: 'Sustainable' is an adjective that does not fit as a gerund and does not describe the action of creating pesticides.
• pressing: 'Pressing' is an adjective that does not convey the action of creating or improving pesticides.
• exposing: 'Exposing' implies revealing something, which does not fit the context of creating pesticides.
• identifying: 'Identifying' refers to recognizing something, which does not relate to the action of developing pesticides.

Correct answer: avoid

Explanation: The word 'avoid' is a verb that fits grammatically as it indicates the action of preventing something from happening, which is relevant to the context of not harming beneficial insects during pesticide application.

Meaning: Avoid means to keep away from or prevent something from occurring.

Wrong options:

• exposing: 'Exposing' implies revealing something, which does not fit the context of preventing harm to beneficial insects.
• developing: 'Developing' is a gerund that refers to the process of creating, which does not fit the action of preventing harm.
• pressing: 'Pressing' is an adjective that does not convey an action and does not fit in this context.
• identifying: 'Identifying' refers to recognizing something, which does not relate to the action of preventing harm.