City planners long _______ that widening highways would always reduce traffic congestion—they believed more lanes meant faster travel. However, the concept of "induced demand" has shown that this belief was incorrect, as more lanes often encourage more people to drive, returning traffic to its previous levels.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
assumed
contrived
questioned
regretted
Correct Answer: A
Choice A is the best answer. The text states that planners "believed" more lanes meant faster travel, but they were incorrect. "Assumed" means to suppose that something is true without proof, which fits their incorrect belief.
Choice B is incorrect because "contrived" means created or arranged in a way that seems artificial. Choice C is incorrect because "questioned" means to dispute, but the text says they believed it. Choice D is incorrect because "regretted" means to feel sad or disappointed about.