Select the correct option: The startup scaled so rapidly that its infrastructure could keep pace.

Question

Select the correct option:

The startup scaled so rapidly that its infrastructure could keep pace.

1. A. barely (Correct answer)
2. B. merely
3. C. scarcely
4. D. all but

Correct Answer

Option A — barely

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is barely.

Key Points

• 'Barely keep pace' means only just managing — almost failing to keep up — which fits infrastructure straining against rapid growth.
• It is the most natural collocation here.
• 'Merely' means only/simply, 'scarcely' leans toward 'hardly ever', and 'all but' means 'almost completely', none of which match the sense of just-managing that the sentence needs.