Choose the word which is most opposite in meaning to the word printed in bold…

Answer: Reduction

Explanation:

The word "explosion" can mean a sudden increase, rapid expansion, or burst. "Reduction" means a decrease or lessening, which directly opposes the idea of a sudden increase or expansion.

Why the other choices are not correct:

• Deflation: Implies a decrease but is commonly used for economic decline or loss of air and is less generally opposite to explosion than reduction.

• Split: Means to divide or separate and does not convey the opposite of expansion or sudden increase.

• Simplification: Means making something simpler; it is unrelated to the concept of increase or expansion.