In the following question, a word is given in bold.

Solution

'Fracking' as a noun means 'the process of injecting liquid at high pressure into subterranean rocks, boreholes, etc. so as to force open existing fissures and extract oil or gas.'. Sentence i after rearrangement - 'Hydraulic fracturing has boomed in the U.S. over the past decade, but unless you live near it, you may not realise just how close fracking wells can be to homes and schools.' In sentence i: 'Fracking' implies 'the process of extraction is not very far from homes and schools' and hence shows that it is correctly used in this sentence. Sentence ii after rearrangement - 'Usually I am fracking with cosmetics and choose a different brand or product each time a tube of gloss runs out, however, I have purchased this and other Sephora products time and again.' In sentence ii: 'Fracking' does not fit in this sentence contextually. The sentence tries to convey that the speaker usually changes the brand that s/he chooses but has sticked to the Sephora products ('however' shows the contradiction in two clauses). 'Fickle' (changing loyalties frequently) would be a better word in place of 'fracking' here. Sentence iii after rearrangement - 'Residents in states where fracking has been practised for years have charged that gas production has contaminated air and drinking water.' In sentence iii: The usage 'gas production' confirms that the word 'fracking' has been used correctly in this sentence. The answer is option (a).