Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank.

Settlers ______ a new colony in the early 18th century.

established

The most appropriate option to fill in the blank is established.

The sentence is about the creation of a new colony. The word "established" means to set up or create something new. It is the most appropriate word to use in this context because it describes the action of the settlers in creating a new colony.

The other options are not as appropriate.

• Fixed means to make something firm or stable. This does not make sense in the context of the sentence because the settlers were not trying to make the colony firm or stable.
• Extended means to make something larger or wider. This does not make sense in the context of the sentence because the settlers were not trying to make the colony larger or wider.
• Entrenched means to become firmly established or accepted. This does not make sense in the context of the sentence because the colony was not yet established.