Choose the word that best completes the sentence: The university hopes that the new patent policy will ______ innovative research among young scientists.

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: A. stimulate

  1. Step 1: Analyze sentence logic: A favorable patent policy is intended to encourage and foster creativity and research output.
  2. Step 2: Select verb meaning to encourage activity or development: 'stimulate'.
  3. Step 3: Verify against negative choices.
Answer
stimulate.
Why not the others: 'deter', 'preclude', and 'stifle' all mean to discourage, prevent, or suppress innovation.

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