Topic: Fill in the Blank,

Best Answer Explained in Below-:

In the sentence "I can not ___ to pay such high prices," the blank requires a verb that effectively conveys a specific meaning in relation to the context. The options provided are:

A) able - This option is incorrect because "able" is an adjective that does not fit grammatically in the blank, which requires a verb.

B) but - "But" is a conjunction that is used to introduce a contrast or exception. It does not align grammatically with the structure of the sentence, which needs a verb.

C) cry - While one might think that expressing emotion could relate to high prices, "cry" does not logically fit in this context. You can't directly "cry" to pay high prices, making it an inappropriate choice.

D) afford - This is the correct answer. The verb "afford" means to have enough money to pay for something. In the context of the sentence, saying "I cannot afford to pay such high prices" clearly communicates the speaker’s financial inability to meet those prices. Thus, "afford" appropriately completes the sentence, conveying the intended meaning effectively.