The house and the senate will at noon next Wednesday, … to hear a special address by the president.

Analyze the question: The sentence says the House and the Senate will do something at noon next Wednesday "to hear a special address by the president." We need a verb that means coming together for a formal session.

Explain the concept: Each option has a distinct meaning:

• Collude means to conspire secretly, usually for a dishonest purpose. It doesn't fit a legitimate address.
• Convene means to come together formally for a meeting or session. It fits.
• Adjourn means to end or suspend a meeting. It would not be done in order to hear an address.
• Rise is used when a legislature ends its sitting ("the House rose at 4 pm"). It does not mean to gather.

Step-by-step solution:

1. The purpose is "to hear a special address," so the two bodies must be gathering.
2. Eliminate A (collusion is secret and improper) and C and D (both relate to ending a session).
3. "The House and the Senate will convene at noon next Wednesday to hear a special address by the president" is natural and correct. This is how a joint session is described.

Answer: B. Convene.

Tip: Remember that con- means "together" (convene, conference, congregate). When a question is about people gathering for a meeting, look for the "con-" word. Also note that adjourn and rise both signal the end of a session.