The city's influence over policy began to ____ over time.

• A. Wane
• B. Expand
• C. Grow
• D. Brighten

Answer: (A)

Think of a word that signals a decrease in power or importance over time. The sentence describes the city’s influence over policy getting weaker as time passes, so the best choice is the one that means to decline or diminish in strength. Wan e fits because to wane is to reduce in influence, authority, or intensity.

The other options suggest growth or improvement, which doesn’t match “began to … over time.” Expand or grow imply increasing influence, and brighten implies getting brighter or more cheerful, not a reduction in political sway.