Correct Answer: power
in the sentence "the lobbying group had a great influence on the congressmen," the word "influence" is pivotal to understanding the nature of the impact the lobbying group had. in this context, "influence" most nearly means power. this suggests that the lobbying group possessed the ability or capacity to sway the decisions or actions of the congressmen in a particular direction.
the term "authority," while similar, carries a connotation of legitimate power or the right to give orders and enforce obedience, which is not necessarily implied in "influence." influence can occur without formal authority and often involves subtler forms of persuasion or encouragement.
another option, "expertise," refers to specialized knowledge or skills in a particular area. if substituted for "influence" in the original sentence, it would alter the meaning, implying that the lobbying group's knowledge, rather than their persuasive capacity, affected the congressmen.
lastly, "control" implies a level of command or domination that goes beyond influence. control suggests direct manipulation or regulation, which is more forceful and definitive than influence, which can be more about guidance or suggestion without direct enforcement.
therefore, among the options provided, "power" most accurately captures the essence of "influence" in the context of the sentence. the lobbying group's influence—essentially their power—enables them to alter or affect the decisions made by congress, without necessarily having formal authority, using expertise, or exerting total control.
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