US traﬃc signals didn’t always contain the familiar three lights (red, yellow, and green). Traﬃc lights only ______ red and
green lights until the three-light traﬃc signal was developed in the 1920s.
avoided
featured
appreciated
disregarded
Choice B is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s discussion of traﬃc signals. As used in this
context, “featured” means had as a characteristic or part. The text indicates that although US traﬃc signals have lights of
three different colors (red, yellow, and green), this wasn’t the case until the 1920s, when the three-light signal was ﬁrst
developed. Before then, the text suggests, traﬃc signals had fewer lights (as indicated by the word “only” in the second
sentence). This context supports the idea that before the 1920s, traﬃc signals featured only red and green lights.
Choice A is incorrect because “avoided” means kept away from someone or something or prevented something from
occurring, neither of which would make sense in context. The text doesn’t discuss keeping away from someone or
something but instead focuses on what US traﬃc signals look like. The text states that they didn’t have lights of three
different colors until the three-light signal was developed in the 1920s. Choice C is incorrect because “appreciated” means
admired or increased in value, neither of which would make sense in context. The text focuses solely on the fact that US
traﬃc signals have contained lights of three colors only since the three-light signal was developed in the 1920s. The text
doesn’t mention how this characteristic or traﬃc signals in general are perceived or what their value is. Moreover, the blank
portion of the text describes “traﬃc signals,” which are lifeless objects and therefore unable to admire or increase the value
of something. Choice D is incorrect because “disregarded” means ignored or treated something as unworthy of notice,
neither of which would make sense in context. The text doesn’t discuss how people react to traﬃc signals; rather, it
addresses the idea that US traﬃc signals have contained lights of three colors only since the three-light signal was
developed in the 1920s. Moreover, the blank portion of the text describes “traﬃc signals,” which are lifeless objects and
therefore unable to ignore or treat something in a particular manner.