Question

The various branches of knowledge complete, correct, and balance each other. This consideration, if well-founded, must be taken into account, not only as regards the attainment of truth, which is their common end, but as regards the influence which they exercise upon those whose education consists in the study of them.

The word exercise in the extract above most nearly means:

• A. remove
• B. cut
• C. impose
• D. arrange

Hint:

Substitute each word directly into "the influence which they ___ upon those..." and see which keeps the sense of exerting an effect.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

In the extract, "exercise" is used as a verb in the phrase "the influence which they exercise upon those whose education consists in the study of them." Here it does not mean physical exercise or a drill, it means to exert or bring a force or influence to bear on something. Let's test each option in that exact sentence.

1. remove: This means to take away. It does not fit, because the sentence is about a positive, active influence being applied to students, not something being taken away from them.
2. cut: This also means to reduce or take away, similar to remove. Substituting it gives "the influence which they cut upon those...", which does not make sense.
3. impose: This means to exert or force a particular effect or authority upon someone. Substituting it gives "the influence which they impose upon those whose education consists in the study of them," which reads naturally and keeps the same sense as the original, the branches of knowledge exert or bring their influence to bear on the student.
4. arrange: This means to organize or put in order. It does not fit here, since the sentence is not about organizing an influence, it is about an influence acting upon someone.

Since "exercise" here is used in the sense of exerting or bringing an influence to bear, "impose" is the closest match in meaning and the only option that keeps the sentence grammatically and logically sound.

Let's summarize:

• "Exercise" as a verb can mean to exert or bring an effect/influence to bear on something.
• Remove and cut both suggest taking away, and arrange suggests organizing, none of which match the sense of an influence acting on a person.

So the correct answer is option 3, impose.