Directions: Complete the following sentence by using the best option from the given choices so that the sentence makes coherent sense. They have been _______ about the gravity of the situation.

'Apprised' means informed, notified, or made aware of something - the correct fit for 'have been [informed] about.' 'Estimated' means calculated roughly, 'aware' lacks the passive construction needed, and 'gauged' means measured or assessed. Only 'apvised' completes the logical construction: someone informed them about the situation.