Some experts reacted with scepticism that the population would really hit the upper end of the predicted spectrum of growth and reach 15 billion so quickly.

一些专家对此持怀疑态度，他们不相信人口真的会如此之快地达到增长范围的预期上限——150亿。

youdao

Several competing teams ended up joining forces and the contest quickly became so close that nobody knew which of two amalgamated teams would end up on top.

FORBES: Netflix Settles Privacy Lawsuit, Cancels Prize Sequel