Choose from the options lettered A - E the one that is nearest in meaning to the word in italics His…

Analyze the question You are asked to find the word closest in meaning to adequate, which is the italicized word in the sentence. The sentence says the performance was enough for promotion but not good enough for a scholarship.

Explain the concept Adequate means enough, sufficient, or satisfactory for a particular need. It does not mean outstanding. It describes something that meets the minimum standard.

Step-by-step solution

1. Use the context. The performance got him promoted, so it met the required standard.
2. It was "not good enough for a scholarship," so it was not outstanding.
3. Check each option: • A. acceptable: meets the standard, though not exceptional. This fits. • B. excellent: this would have earned a scholarship, so it contradicts the sentence. • C. not satisfactory: this would not have led to promotion, so it is the opposite of adequate. • D. stormily: an adverb unrelated to performance, and the wrong part of speech. • E. heavily: also an adverb and unrelated in meaning.

Answer: Adequate is closest in meaning to acceptable, which is option A.

Tip: In synonym questions, use the sentence context. Also check the part of speech. Adequate is an adjective, so the adverbs stormily and heavily can be eliminated straight away. For "adequate," think "just enough," which means acceptable and not excellent.