10. When the world economy continued to grow rapidly, some economists cautioned political leaders against an abrupt downturn. They _____ that a hard landing would wreak great havoc on each country.
(A) outlasted
(B) foretold
(C) downgraded
(D) overtook

題目句子：

When the world economy continued to grow rapidly, some economists cautioned political leaders against an abrupt downturn. They _____ that a hard landing would wreak great havoc on each country.

✅ 關鍵理解：

• 當時經濟快速增長（表面看起來樂觀）

• economists 提出警告 → 代表他們預測可能出現的負面結果（abrupt downturn）

• 所以空格處應該選一個表示「預測災難」的動詞

? 選項解析：

(A) outlasted ❌

✘ 意思：比…活得久／持續更久
→ 不符合主詞「they（economists）」和句意

(B) foretold ✅

✔ 意思：預言、預告（未來將發生的事情）
✔ 符合句意：他們預言經濟將硬著陸並帶來災難
? 類似字：predict, forecast, warn

(C) downgraded ❌

✘ 通常用於「調降等級、評級」（如信用評等）
→ 不合句中「預言未來災難」的語境

(D) overtook ❌

✘ 意思：超過、追上（如超車）
→ 主詞是 economists，不可能去 "overtake" 一個事件

✅ 正確答案是：

(B) foretold

? 延伸用法：

• foretell disaster/tragedy/collapse

• The oracle foretold the fall of the empire.

• Experts foretold a crisis if no action was taken.