Completing the Sentence: Impact of Foreign Technocrats

The goal is to find the word that best describes the effect of foreign technocrats on the country's problems, making their return counter-productive.

Analyzing the Options

• identified: This means the problems were simply recognized. It doesn't imply a negative outcome.
• ascertained: Similar to identified, this means the problems were found out or confirmed. It lacks the negative connotation needed.
• exacerbated: This means the problems were made worse. This fits the context because worsening problems would logically make inviting the technocrats back seem like a bad idea (counter-productive).
• analysed: This means the problems were studied or examined. While analysis might happen, the sentence implies a negative result, not just a study.

Choosing the Best Fit

The sentence structure suggests that the actions of the foreign technocrats had a negative consequence on the country's problems. The phrase "so that to invite them to come back would be counter-productive" strongly implies that their involvement worsened the situation.

Exacerbated is the only option that conveys this meaning of making a bad situation worse. Therefore, it is the most appropriate word to complete the sentence.

Final Sentence: It was her view that the country's problems had been exacerbated by foreign technocrats, so that to invite them to come back would be counter-productive.