Question:
Complete the sentence with the most appropriate word: 'The continuous noise from the construction site served to _______ his growing headache.'
Complete the sentence with the most appropriate word: 'The continuous noise from the construction site served to _______ his growing headache.'
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In sentence completion questions, identify whether the overall context is positive or negative.
Since a headache is worsened by noise, eliminate positive words like "alleviate," "mollify," and "pacify."
Since a headache is worsened by noise, eliminate positive words like "alleviate," "mollify," and "pacify."
Updated On: May 31, 2026
- alleviate
- aggravate
- mollify
- pacify
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Verified By Collegedunia
The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The objective of this vocabulary-based question is to complete the sentence by choosing the most appropriate word from the options.
The correct word must logically align with the context provided by the surrounding terms in the sentence.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us perform a thorough contextual and semantic analysis of the sentence:
• Contextual Analysis: The sentence describes a negative stimulus: "The continuous noise from the construction site."
This stimulus acts on an existing physical ailment: "his growing headache."
Loud, continuous noise would naturally worsen a headache rather than relieve it.
Therefore, we need a word that means "to make worse," "to exacerbate," or "to increase in severity."
• Aggravate: The verb "aggravate" means to make a problem, injury, pain, or offensive situation worse or more serious.
This fits the context, as noise aggravates a headache.
• Alleviate: "Alleviate" means to make pain or a problem less severe or more bearable.
This is antonymous to the expected effect of construction noise on a headache.
• Mollify: "Mollify" means to appease the anger or anxiety of someone, or to soften.
It is generally used for emotions and people, not physical symptoms like headaches.
• Pacify: "Pacify" means to quell anger, agitation, or excitement, or to establish peace.
Similar to mollify, it is contextually incorrect for describing physical pain.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Consequently, the most appropriate word to complete the sentence is "aggravate," corresponding to option (B).
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