Environmental scientists fear that runaway global warming could ______ havoc with fragile polar ecosystems.
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. wreak
- Step 1: The fixed verb-noun collocation is to 'wreak havoc', meaning to cause widespread destruction, disruption, or confusion. Runaway climatic shifts wreak havoc by melting permafrost and destroying animal habitats. Answer: wreak. Why not the others: "perform chaos" is unidiomatic; the verb 'perform' does not collocate with the noun 'chaos' or 'havoc'; "generate ruin" is an unnatural combination in English; the established phrase requires 'wreak'; "inflict injury" refers typically to physical bodily harm to individuals rather than systemic chaos.
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