Key: C

Analysis: “To accelerate” means to make something happen faster, or to increase speed. Among the options, “speedup” is the closest meaning.

A. Incorrect: “hold up” means delay or stop temporarily, the opposite of accelerate.

B. Incorrect: “keep back” means hold back/restrain, also not accelerate.

C. Correct: “speedup” means accelerate (make faster).

D. Incorrect: “turn on” means switch on, unrelated to speed.

E. Incorrect: “slowdown” is the opposite of accelerate.

Key: D

Analysis: In context, the government takes steps to protect children from harmful jobs. That typically means banning or prohibiting those jobs for children. Therefore, “harming” here is intended to mean actions against harmful jobs—most closely “forbidding.”

A. Incorrect: “warning” means giving caution, not stopping harmful jobs.

B. Incorrect: “crossing” has no suitable meaning here.

C. Close but weaker: “preventing” could fit broadly, but the most direct policy action is “forbidding” the jobs.

D. Correct: forbidding harmful jobs is a clear way to protect children.

E. Too strong/less precise: “eliminating” could imply removing jobs entirely, not just banning them for children.

Note on wording: The sentence is awkward because “steps toward harming jobs” is unnatural. The intended meaning is likely “steps toward forbidding harmful jobs for children.”

Key: A

Analysis: “Objected” means disagreed with or did not approve of something. Since Jack was promoted but objected, he did not accept or approve the promotion. The closest meaning is “disapproved.”

A. Correct: “disapproved” matches “objected” (did not approve).

B. Not the best: “criticized” means expressed negative comments; objecting is mainly refusing/disagreeing, not necessarily criticizing.

C. Incorrect: “delighted” is the opposite of objected.

D. Incorrect: “defended” means supported.

E. Incorrect: “delayed” is about time, not disagreement.

Key: A

Analysis: “Finances” refers to money resources or financial funds of a company. The best synonym is “funds.”

A. Correct: “funds” are the money resources a company has.

B. Incorrect: “loans” are borrowed money, only one part of finances.

C. Incorrect: “grant” is a specific type of funding, usually from government/organizations, not general finances.

D. Incorrect: “credit” is the ability to borrow; not equal to total finances.

E. Incorrect: “investment” is placing money into something; finances are broader than investment.

Key: C

Analysis: “Was awarded” means “was given” a prize officially. The closest meaning is “granted.”

A. Incorrect: “celebrated” means praised or honored, not specifically “given a prize.”

B. Incorrect: “dedicated” means devoted, unrelated.

C. Correct: “granted” means officially given.

D. Incorrect: “proved” means showed to be true.

E. Incorrect: “attacked” is opposite in meaning.