This problem is more ______ than I expected.

• A. Straightforward
• B. Overwhelming
• C. Complicated
• D. Difficult

Answer: (C)

This item is about choosing a word that best conveys an increase in complexity. When something is "more complicated than I expected," the emphasis is on having many parts, steps, or interconnections that make it not straightforward. "Complicated" captures that sense of intricate structure and multiple factors, which fits naturally with comparing to your expectations. The other options don’t fit as well: "straightforward" means easy, which contradicts being more than expected; "overwhelming" could work in certain tones but shifts the focus to emotional impact rather than structure; "difficult" describes challenge but doesn’t specifically highlight the multi-part complexity as clearly as "complicated."