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

Analyze the question: The italicized word is "treasure" in the sentence "Africans treasure hospitality as a way of life." We need the option closest in meaning to it.

Explain the concept: To treasure something means to value it highly, to hold it dear, and to cherish it. In "nearest in meaning" questions, substitute each option into the sentence and see which one keeps the original meaning.

Step-by-step solution:

• A. despise means to hate or look down on. This is the opposite of treasure, so it is wrong.
• B. depict means to portray or describe. It does not fit the idea of valuing something.
• C. remember means to recall. People can remember something without valuing it, so it does not capture the sense of high value.
• D. uphold means to maintain, support, and keep something in practice. "Africans uphold hospitality as a way of life" keeps the meaning of valuing and sustaining a cherished practice. This is the closest option.
• E. note means to observe or take notice of. It does not carry the idea of valuing.

Answer: D. uphold is the best fit. No option is a perfect synonym for "treasure" (which would be "cherish" or "value"), but "uphold" is the closest in meaning here.

Tip: When no option is a perfect synonym, eliminate the opposites and unrelated words first, then plug the remaining options into the sentence. Also, don't pick the option that merely sounds familiar, like "remember." Check that it carries the same idea of value.