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Difficulty: MediumVocabulary and Word Meaning in Context

Read the passage excerpt below carefully. Based on the context of the sentence, which word meaning 'to lessen in intensity, quiet, or reduce' best completes the blank?

Answer:Although the initial public reaction to the new land use policy was fierce, the government's prompt publication of explanatory guidelines helped to 【allay】 the widespread anxieties of property owners.

Answer

The word 'allay' (or accepted contextual synonyms such as 'assuage', 'mitigate', 'mollify', or 'alleviate') correctly completes the sentence to express the reduction or calming of public anxiety.
In the given context, the publication of clear guidelines relieved the fears of property owners. Words such as 'allay', 'assuage', or 'mitigate' mean to make a negative feeling or worry less intense, making them the precise semantic fit for the blank.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Examine the surrounding context of the sentence to understand the scenario.
The text describes an initial state of 'fierce' public opposition and 'widespread anxieties' following a policy announcement, followed by a stabilizing action (publishing explanatory guidelines).
Understanding the cause-and-effect relationship in the sentence helps determine how the guidelines affected public emotion.
2
Identify the target meaning and grammatical function required for the blank.
The blank follows 'helped to' and precedes 'the widespread anxieties', requiring an infinitive verb that means to diminish, quiet, or relieve negative feelings.
The sentence structure requires an action verb that collocate with emotional states like fear or anxiety.
3
Select a precise term matching the required contextual meaning.
Verbs like 'allay', 'assuage', 'mitigate', or 'mollify' accurately convey the sense of calming or reducing the severity of worry.
These vocabulary terms specifically apply to reducing emotional distress and fit both semantically and syntactically into the sentence.

Key Concept

Vocabulary and Word Meaning in Context
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Vocabulary and Word Meaning in Context

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