既然妳已經能夠感覺到這裏的exert的意思是“造成、引起”，再問這樣的問題（exert在這裏是否用得恰當）就沒有意義了。
妳不可能從詞典上學到壹個詞的所有釋義。建議妳多翻翻英英詞典。
在韋伯詞典上，exert的解釋如下：
1 a: to put forth (as strength) <the force is exerted sideways>
b: to put (oneself) into action or to tiring effort <won't have to exert himself moving the table>
2: to bring to bear especially with sustained effort or lasting effect <exerted a bad influence on his students>
3:employ, wield<exerted her leadership abilities intelligently>