Some of the merchant's goods were impounded by the customs officers

Analyze the question: You need the word closest in meaning to impounded in the sentence: "Some of the merchant's goods were impounded by the customs officers."

Explain the concept: To impound means to seize and hold something by legal authority, usually because a rule or law has been broken (for example, unpaid duties or smuggling). It is often used for goods, vehicles, or animals. The word that matches it best is confiscate, which means to take something away officially.

Step-by-step solution:

• A. intercepted means to stop something on its way, such as a message or a vehicle in transit. It does not mean the goods were kept by the authorities, so it is not the best fit.
• B. delayed means to make something late. Impounding goes beyond a delay, because the goods are held by the authorities.
• C. confiscated means officially seized and taken away by authority. This fits what customs officers do with goods that break import rules.
• D. screened means checked or examined. The goods may be screened first, but that is not what impounded means.

Answer: The best match is C. confiscated.

Tip: Look at who is acting. When the doer is an authority (customs, police, court) and the object is goods or property, think seize. Related words to remember are impound = seize = confiscate = take possession of. Be careful with intercepted, because it describes stopping something in transit and not keeping it.