Influence new directors?

[Lyalya]

Test No. incompl/inter-51 "Cinemas", question 3

The film was the first to show conditions in which poor people lived and as such was to ......... future directors.

(a) influence
(b) hold
(c) infect
(d) show

Test No. incompl/inter-51 "Cinemas", answer 3

The film was the first to show conditions in which poor people lived and as such was to influence future directors.

Correct answer: (a) influence

Your answer was: incorrect
The film was the first to show conditions in which poor people lived and as such was to show future directors.
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Hello teachers! Why word -show- doesn't fit in here?
thank you

[Torsten]

Hi Lyalya,

The idea is that the film had an impact on the way new directors would think and make decisions.

to influence is to have an impact on, to affect

TOEIC listening, talks: The co-pilot gives flight information to passengers

[Clara]

Why not "infect"?
It has the meaning of "influence", too.

Clara