I really wish to assure you that we now have a reliable leader.

Analyze the question: The underlined word is "reliable" (the word it most likely refers to, since the sentence is about a leader we can trust). We need the option closest in meaning to it.

Explain the concept: This is a synonym question. The meaning must fit the context, not just the dictionary sense. "Reliable" means something or someone that can be trusted to act consistently and well, someone you can count on.

Solution, checking each option:

• A. Dependable: means trustworthy and consistent, someone you can rely on. This is an almost exact synonym of "reliable".
• B. Realistic: means practical and seeing things as they are. It is about being grounded in reality, not about being trustworthy.
• C. Sensible: means having good judgment. A sensible person may be wise, but it does not carry the idea of being counted on.
• D. Resolute: means firm and determined. A leader can be resolute without being dependable.

Substituting into the sentence: "I really wish to assure you that we now have a dependable leader." This keeps the meaning exactly.

Answer: A. Dependable.

Tip: In synonym questions, replace the underlined word with each option and see which keeps the sentence's meaning unchanged. Note the word-family link too: reliable and dependable both end in "-able", and both come from verbs meaning "to rely" and "to depend", which are themselves synonyms.