Answer the following question below and choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined word or phrase…

Analyze the question: The sentence is "Her findings exploded widely held beliefs about learning." We need the option closest in meaning to "exploded" as it is used here.

Explain the concept: "Explode" has a figurative meaning: to show that a belief or theory is false, or to discredit it completely. For example, "to explode a myth" means to prove that the myth is wrong. This is different from the literal meaning of blowing up.

Work through the options:

• A. challenged: This means to question or dispute something. It is close, but it is weaker. To challenge a belief does not mean you have proved it wrong.
• B. debunked: This means to expose a belief or claim as false or exaggerated. It matches "exploded a myth or belief" almost exactly.
• C. projected: This means to forecast or to throw outward. It does not fit the sentence.
• D. confirmed: This is the opposite of "exploded", because it means the beliefs were supported.

Answer: The findings showed that the widely held beliefs were false, so the best match is debunked.

Exam tip: When a common word like "exploded", "broke" or "shot" appears in a figurative sentence, ask yourself what it means in context rather than literally. "Explode a myth/theory/belief" means to disprove it, and "debunk" is the standard synonym. Also watch out for "challenged": it is a tempting distractor, but it is weaker than "exploded".