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

Analyze the question You're asked to find the word closest in meaning to "petrified" in the sentence: He was too petrified to give the closing remarks at the conference.

Explain the concept "Petrified" comes from the Latin/Greek root petra, meaning "rock" or "stone". To be petrified literally means to be turned to stone. In everyday English, it describes being so terrified that you freeze and cannot move or act. So it means extremely frightened.

Show the solution Look at the context: he was too petrified to give the closing remarks. The word "too" signals a negative result, which means fear or anxiety stopped him from speaking.

Now check each option:

• A. frightened: matches the meaning, since fear stopped him from speaking.
• B. agitated: this means restless or disturbed. It is close but not the same, because it doesn't suggest being frozen with fear.
• C. delighted: this means very pleased. It is the opposite of the context, since delight wouldn't stop someone from speaking.
• D. happy: this is also positive and doesn't fit "too ... to".

Answer The correct option is A. frightened.

Exam tip When you meet an unfamiliar word, look for clue words like "too ... to" (which signals a negative outcome) and ask whether the sentence is positive or negative. You can immediately eliminate C and D here. Also remember that "petrified" = "turned to stone with fear".