Final answer:
The closest meaning to the phrase 'in the first expression you hear' is 'as many sports as,' implying that both expressions mention the same number of sports.
Step-by-step explanation:
The phrase 'in the first expression you hear' suggests that the student is being asked to compare the number of sports mentioned in two separate expressions or sentences. The options provided are: 'fewer sports than,' 'as many sports as,' 'many sports,' and 'more sports than.'
The phrase 'in the first expression you hear' can be understood as comparing the number of sports in the first expression to the number of sports in the second expression. Therefore, the closest meaning to the phrase would be 'as many sports as.' This implies that both expressions mention the same number of sports.
For example, if the first expression says, 'I play five sports,' and the second expression says, 'He plays as many sports as I do,' it means that both individuals play the same number of sports, which is five.