Question

read the passage and then answer the question.
construction on florences grand cathedral began in 1296. over a hundred years later, however, the structure remained unfinished, with an enormous hole in the roof. the designers had intended to top the cathedral with the worlds largest dome, but this plan was stymied by architectural limitations. the main factor stalling progress was the fact that no one knew how to create such a massive cupola without large, cumbersome support systems.
in 1418, tired of the gaping hole above the altar, florentine priests solicited the general public for solutions to the dome problem. a number of leading architects submitted ideas, but the chosen design came from a goldsmith named filippo brunelleschi. he suggested building not one but two domes, bound together with rings of metal to counteract outward pressure. the now - famous dome was ultimately completed in 1436. today it remains one of the most impressive structures in the world.
what is the meaning of stymied as used in the passage?
altered
ignored
canceled
blocked

Explanation:

To determine the meaning of "stymied", we analyze the context. The passage says the plan to top the cathedral with the world's largest dome was stymied by architectural limitations, and progress was stalled because no one knew how to build the dome without cumbersome supports. "Altered" means changed, which doesn't fit. "Ignored" means not paying attention, which is incorrect. "Canceled" means called off, but the plan wasn't canceled, just hindered. "Blocked" means prevented or hindered, which matches the context of the plan being hindered by limitations and progress being stalled.

Answer:

blocked