Question

Find the synonym of the underlined word.
Efforts to ameliorate housing conditions for the old and the poor were halted because government funds were cut off.
a)Increased
b)Improved
c)Examined
d)Stopped
e)Accelerated

Answer 1

Hint: The word Halt can either be a Noun or a Verb. The meaning of the word is to come to a stop or temporary suspension of an activity.

Complete step-by-step answer:

Meaning of the given sentence - The government funds were cut off which indicates lack of funds and as a consequence, the amelioration(improvement) of housing conditions of the old and the poor was stopped or brought to a temporary suspension.
In option a, the word Increased does not conform with the meaning of the sentence as it represents a curtail of the funds and this option indicates just the opposite. The funds were cut off and this option says increased. So, option a is incorrect.
In option b, the word Improved also does not connect with the sentence given. Logically, if there is curtailment of funds, there can be no improvement as the process of improving the housing conditions, funds are needed and that is not the case. So, option b is also incorrect.
Option c Examined means to inspect something. There is no scope of inspection in the given statement as the sentence reveals a different meaning. So, option c is also incorrect.
Option d Stopped satisfies the condition of the given sentence. Due to curtailment of the funds, the process of amelioration has been brought to a standstill which means exactly the same as given in this option. So, option d is the correct option.
In option e, the term Accelerated means to move more quickly. This definition does not go with the sentence. The sentence shows that the activity of improvement has ceased to continue and the option indicates that the activity has begun to move quickly which is not the case. So, option e is also incorrect.

Note: The four incorrect options do not agree with the statement given but it does not mean that all the four options mean the same. They might have the same reason of not being correct but they do not mean the same.