Read the following passage and answer the given questions. The concept of…
2025
Read the following passage and answer the given questions.
The concept of cloud kitchens, also known as virtual or ghost kitchens, has become one of the fastest-growing trends in the food industry. Unlike traditional restaurants, cloud kitchens operate without a dine-in facility, focusing entirely on online orders and delivery services. This model has gained momentum due to changing consumer habits, technological integration, and the growing demand for convenience. One of the most significant economic advantages of cloud kitchens is cost efficiency. By eliminating the expenses of prime-location rentals, heavy decor, and customer service staff, businesses can focus resources on food quality, marketing, and delivery logistics. For many entrepreneurs, launching a restaurant earlier seemed like an elusive dream, but cloud kitchens have made it possible with lower investment and quicker setup. The global growth of cloud kitchens is impressive. In Britain, the industry witnessed a dramatic transformation in 2023, expanding nearly threefold compared to previous years. Much of this growth has been driven by the popularity of food delivery apps where customers need to tap once on their screens to get a meal delivered. Similarly, the United States has set an ambitious target, aiming to generate around $27 billion from cloud kitchen operations between 2027 and 2032. Such projections underline the crucial role cloud kitchens will play in the food economy of the future. Beyond profits, cloud kitchens contribute positively to the overall economy by creating jobs in cooking, packaging, logistics, and technology support. They also encourage collaborations with delivery platforms and boost allied sectors like packaging manufacturing and food supply chains. Much of this work is quietly done __________________, yet it strengthens multiple layers of the economy. However, this rapid growth has raised concerns. While governments have issued regulations concerning hygiene, licensing, and safety standards, many restaurants operating as cloud kitchens fail to comply strictly with these rules. The lack of regular inspections and the rush to meet demand often lead to corners being cut, raising questions about consumer safety and long-term sustainability. In conclusion, cloud kitchens represent a transformative shift in the food and service industry. They are cost-effective, scalable, and job-generating, making them vital for economic growth. Yet, their true potential will only be realized when strict adherence to regulations ensures that quality and safety are never compromised.
Choose the word that is grammatically and contextually most suitable to replace "elusive" as used in the passage:
- A.
Obvious
- B.
Achievable
- C.
Unattainable
- D.
Defining
- E.
Difficult
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Concept
A vocabulary-in-context replacement question tests the precise sense a word carries in its sentence, not just a dictionary synonym in isolation. The replacement must (a) keep the same meaning the author intended, (b) fit grammatically in the same slot, and (c) agree with the surrounding logic — especially any contrast signalled by words like "but".
Application
The target sentence reads: "launching a restaurant earlier seemed like an elusive dream, but cloud kitchens have made it possible." The word "elusive" describes a dream that was, in the past, hard to reach or grasp. The contrast marker "but ... made it possible" tells us the slot needs a word meaning "not able to be achieved" so that the reversal — once out of reach, now possible — makes sense. "Unattainable" means impossible to achieve or reach, and "an unattainable dream" is the natural, idiomatic collocation. It satisfies meaning, grammar, and the contrast, so Unattainable is the correct replacement.
Why the other choices fail
Obvious — means "easy to see or understand"; it is the opposite of elusive and breaks the "but ... made it possible" contrast.
Achievable — means "able to be accomplished"; this too reverses the intended sense, since the dream was described as out of reach, not within reach.
Defining — means "characteristic or decisive"; it has no meaning overlap with elusive and does not fit a "dream" that was hard to reach.
Difficult — is closer in sense, but "a difficult dream" is not idiomatic and is weaker than the impossible-to-reach idea the contrast demands; it understates the gap that cloud kitchens are said to have closed.
Cross-check
Substitute back: "an unattainable dream, but cloud kitchens have made it possible" reads cleanly and preserves the author’s contrast, confirming the choice.