Question

Choose the word that best fills-in the blank.

_______ was rampant about whether or not the company was closing.

A. Speculation
B. Morose
C. Proclamation
D. Affluency

Answer 1

It is A because speculation basically means rumours, so it is saying there were a lot of rumours about the company closing.

Answer 2

The correct answer is A. speculation.

The word speculation means the same as rumor - and the meaning of this sentence is that there were a lot of rumors about the closing of the company.

B. morose means sullen and gloomy; C. proclamation is an official announcement about something; D. affluency is the state of being rich. As you can see, none of the other options fit the gap above.