Question

Choose the word to replace the word in italics.
It was under compulsion that the king relinquished his office.
a)Abdicated
b)Resigned
c)Denounced
d)Pulled

Answer 1

Hint: To replace the word in italics you need to find a synonym for the word, which is – relinquished. Because when you replace something, you do it with something that shares a similar trait.

Complete step-by-step answer:

We should first look into the word – Relinquished, which means (especially) in the given context – to yield or surrender the possession of something.
Hence, the best word to replace it would be –
a)Abdicated which means having to give up the throne under compulsion or as an involuntary act. For e.g. the head of the family was abdicated after the fight.
b)Resign means to step down from a position voluntarily. For e.g. he recently resigned from the job.
c)Denounced indicated that someone is publicly declared as wrong or evil. For e.g. the family denounced him from their property.
d)Pulled shows or implies that something is taken out of or away from a place by using physical effort. For e.g. – He pulled the gate towards her.
So, we can clearly identify that the word that can replace relinquished (to surrender possession) is abdicated (give up throne under compulsion).
Therefore, this implies that the correct solution for the given question is an option – a, i.e. abdicated.

Note: The important thing to keep in mind is that you do not choose the word that does not change the meaning of the given phrase or sentence.