What does the word that contains the stem probably mean?

Question

Small fights preceded the riots in the city. They continued to get worse and eventually led to a war.

Responses

to go above and beyond an expectation

to go quietly so as to not get caught

to go before something else; to happen first

to go forward boldly and proudly

Answer 1

The word that contains the stem "precede" means to go before something else; to happen first.