Asked by O

Look at the word proliferated in the passage below.
<›) In 1965, thirteen-year-old Frank Pritchard and his family were on summer vacation on Bainbridge Island in Washington State. When Frank complained that there was nothing to do, his dad, Joel Pritchard, decided to prove him wrong. Using a badminton net, a perforated plastic ball, and some table tennis paddles, Joel Pritchard and two friends invented the sport of pickleball. By 1990, pickleball was being played in all fifty states, though not in great numbers. However, after 2016, pickleball leagues proliferated, and by 2021, there were a reported 4.8 million players of all ages in the United States. In fact, according to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA), pickleball was the fastest-growing sport in the nation in 2020 and 2021.
<) What is the meaning of proliferate as used in the passage?
shift back and forth uncertainly
remain in one place for a long period
increase greatly in number or amount
defy expectations set by experts

All Answers 1

Answered by GPT-5 mini AI
increase greatly in number or amount

Explanation: "Proliferated" means spread or multiplied rapidly — fitting the context that pickleball leagues grew quickly after 2016.