If he declines the offer, it will be better for him.

Step 1: Analyze the question We need the word closest in meaning to the underlined word, declines, in the sentence: "If he declines the offer, it will be better for him."

Step 2: Explain the concept "Decline" as a verb, when used with an offer or invitation, means to refuse politely or formally. So we look for a word that carries the idea of refusing or turning something down.

Step 3: Check each option

• A. ignores means to pay no attention to something. Ignoring an offer is not the same as formally refusing it, so this is not the best fit.
• B. denies means to state that something is untrue, or to refuse to give something. You deny a claim or an accusation, not an offer. This is wrong.
• C. snubs means to insult someone by deliberately treating them coldly or rudely. It carries a rude tone that "decline" does not have, so this is not the best fit.
• D. rejects means to refuse to accept something. This matches "decline" closely.

Step 4: Answer Replacing the word gives: "If he rejects the offer, it will be better for him." The meaning stays the same, so the correct answer is D. rejects.

Step 5: Exam tip Watch for words that look close but have a different shade of meaning. "Snubs" is about rudeness, "denies" is about statements or claims, and "ignores" is about paying no attention. A good trick is to substitute each option into the sentence and see which one keeps the original meaning. Also remember the pairing decline/reject an offer, which appears often in English lexis questions.