Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank.

Bonsai gardening was first practiced in China but became _____ because of the Japanese.

popular

The correct option to fill in the blank is popular.

Bonsai gardening is a Japanese art form of growing miniature trees in containers. The word "popular" means liked or enjoyed by many people. It is the most appropriate word to use in this context because it describes how bonsai gardening became widespread and well-liked because of the Japanese.

The other options are not as appropriate.

• Prevailing means most common or widespread. This does not make sense in the context of the sentence because bonsai gardening was not the most common or widespread form of gardening before the Japanese popularized it.
• Frequent means happening often. This does not make sense in the context of the sentence because bonsai gardening was not practiced often before the Japanese popularized it.
• Customary means usual or expected. This does not make sense in the context of the sentence because bonsai gardening was not the usual or expected form of gardening before the Japanese popularized it.