Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank.

Hopefully, things will return to normal in the __________.

future

The correct option to fill in the blank is future.

The word "future" refers to a time that has not yet happened. It is the most accurate word to describe the time when things will hopefully return to normal.

The other options are incorrect.

• Past refers to a time that has already happened. It is not the correct word to use in this sentence because things are not currently normal and we are hoping for a change in the future.
• Present refers to the time that we are currently living in. It is not the correct word to use in this sentence because things are not currently normal and we are hoping for a change in the future.
• Earlier refers to a time that is before the present time. It is not the correct word to use in this sentence because we are not hoping for a return to the past, we are hoping for a return to normalcy in the future.