When something is refined, it is cleansed of any impurities. For instance, one might say, “The water is refined so as to contain no solids by boiling the fluid and capturing only the vapor that rises from it.”

The word "adulterate" is a verb that means to corrupt the purity of by adding an impure element to something. The best choice is "corrupt," since it is a part of the definition of "adulterate." Considering the other choices, "purify" is an antonym of "adulterate" that means to remove impurities or corruption, "matriculate" means to register at a college or university, "vex" means to annoy, and "simmer" means heat to a temperature just below boiling.

The word "devastate" is a verb which can mean to utterly destroy. "Raze," which also means to destroy, is the best choice. Considering the other choices, "augment" means add to, "respond" means react to, and "refine" means make better.

To “abridge” a text means to edit it by leaving out parts in order to make it shorter, so "shorten" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, “bolster” means improve; “chaperone” means accompany someone or a group in order to make sure that person or group doesn't misbehave; “excavate” means dig up; and “hallow” means make holy.

Since "curtail" is a verb which means "reduce in extent or quantity; impose a restriction on," we need to pick out another verb that means something like "lessen." While "coda" may sound like an attractive answer choice because it means "tail" in Italian and specifically refers to the conclusion of a piece of music, it doesn't mean "lessen," so it can't be the correct answer. Of the listed answer choices, "limit" is closest in meaning to "lessen," so "limit" is the correct answer.

Since "mitigate" is a verb that means "make less severe, serious, or painful," we need to pick out a verb that means something like "assuage." While "exacerbate" might look like a good answer choice, "exacerbate" actually means "make a problem, bad situation, or negative feeling worse," so it is an antonym of "mitigate" and not the word we're looking for. "Alleviate," which means "make suffering, deficiency, or a problem less severe," is the answer choice closest in meaning to "mitigate," so it is the correct answer.

An example of "atrophy" is when muscles atrophy there is a decrease in muscle mass.  Thus, the best definition of atrophy is wasting away or shrinking.

If something is blighted, it means it is destroyed or ruined.  For instance, crops can be blighted due to weather conditions.

"Cavort" is a verb that means "jump or dance around excitedly," or, informally, "apply oneself enthusiastically to sexual or disreputable pursuits." So, while we need to pick out an answer choice that has to do with movement, "amble" cannot be the correct answer because "amble" means "walk or move at a slow, relaxed pace," where "cavort" describes excited movement. "Caper," a word that when used as a verb means "skip or dance about in a lively or playful way," is the correct answer because it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "cavort."

The word “hinder” can mean “behind” or “rear portion.” However, here it is being used in its more general sense of “to prevent something from acting fully.” A “hindrance” is like a “block” in the way of something’s activity. When one thing acts to “impede” another, it obstructs that thing’s action. The word “impede” literally means “to put something on the foot of (something else).” The “-pede” portion of the word is related to the English “pedal” and “biped.”