Question

Choose the one which is nearest in meaning to
IMPASSE
a. stalemate
b. impossibility
c. difficulty
d. confrontation

Answer 1

Hint: The meaning of impasse is a deadlock. If something is at an impasse, it is at a point where no further progress is possible.

Complete step-by-step answer:

 Synonyms are words that have the same meaning as a given word. Generally, words in the English language have many synonyms bearing similar meanings. A thesaurus is a book that contains all these synonyms in one place.
Let us look at some examples of synonyms. Astonishing is an adjective that means to be impressive or amazing. Superb is another word that can be used to describe this same meaning in one word.
Similarly, let us look at the noun adolescent. When someone is an adolescent, they are in the stage between that of a child and that of an adult. Teenage is another adjective that can be used to describe this meaning in one word.
In our question, we have been given the word ‘impasse’. Let us consider what its meaning is. The impasse has its origins in the French language. It is a noun which means a predicament from which there is no obvious escape. The meaning of impasse is best characterized by the word stalemate. Therefore, the option ‘a’ is the correct answer.

Note: It is important that students know the meanings of the given options as the other options are plausible distractors. An impasse is a difficulty without a solution while impossibility characterizes the outcome of an impasse. These options themselves are not the synonyms of the impasse.