What is the best comparison of incentive is to goad as
a. pontential is to mortify
b. quibble is to dishearten
c. flaw is to entice
d. hazard is to dissuade
Because "incentive" is a neutral or positive word, and "goad" is a negative near synonym, I believe b. is the best choice.
To answer this question, we need to understand the meanings of the words "incentive," "goad," "potential," "mortify," "quibble," "dishearten," "flaw," "entice," "hazard," and "dissuade."
- Incentive: Something that motivates or encourages someone to do something.
- Goad: To provoke or stimulate someone to take action.
- Potential: The possibility or likelihood for something to happen or develop in the future.
- Mortify: To cause great embarrassment or humiliation to someone.
- Quibble: To argue or raise petty objections about something.
- Dishearten: To cause someone to lose hope or enthusiasm.
- Flaw: A defect or imperfection in something.
- Entice: To attract someone or persuade them to do something through desirable qualities.
- Hazard: A source of danger or risk.
- Dissuade: To persuade someone not to do something.
Now let's examine the options given:
a. Potential is to mortify: This comparison doesn't make logical sense, as "potential" and "mortify" are not related in meaning. Therefore, this option is not the best comparison.
b. Quibble is to dishearten: This comparison also doesn't make logical sense. "Quibble" means to argue about something petty, whereas "dishearten" means to lose hope or enthusiasm. These two words are not synonymous or related in meaning. Therefore, this option is not the best comparison either.
c. Flaw is to entice: This comparison is more logical and meaningful. A flaw is an imperfection, and to entice means to attract or persuade someone. If something has a flaw, it may still be enticing to someone because of other desirable qualities. Therefore, this option could be the best comparison.
d. Hazard is to dissuade: This comparison is also logical and meaningful. A hazard is a source of danger or risk, and to dissuade means to persuade someone not to do something. If something is hazardous, it can serve as a reason to dissuade someone from taking a particular action. Therefore, this option could also be the best comparison.
Based on the meanings of these words, options c and d both could be the best comparisons, depending on the context.