when the strike is over, there will probably be an increase in wages and a … increase in prices.

Analyze the question

The sentence says that after the strike, there will be an increase in wages and a __ increase in prices. We need a word describing an increase in prices that happens at the same time as the wage increase.

Explain the concepts (the options)

• Chronic: persisting for a long time, usually of diseases or problems (e.g. chronic illness). It doesn't suggest simultaneity.
• Sporadic: occurring occasionally or at irregular intervals. It doesn't fit.
• Concordant: in agreement or harmony. It is used for opinions or facts, not for events happening together.
• Concurrent: happening at the same time; occurring together. This is the right meaning.

Solution

The sentence links two events: a wage increase and a price increase. The natural meaning is that the two happen together. "Concurrent" captures exactly that.

> "...there will probably be an increase in wages and a concurrent increase in prices."

Answer: D. Concurrent

Tip: Look at the root words. Con- means "together" and current comes from currere, "to run". So concurrent means "running together". When a gap needs a word meaning "at the same time", think of concurrent, simultaneous or coincident. Don't confuse concurrent with concordant, which is about agreement.