"Obviate" and "preclude" both mean to make unnecessary. "Pulverize" means to smash or destroy. "Quip" means to make a witty remark or retort. "Ruffle" means to upset or irritate. "Scrutinize" means to examine closely.

When one thing “necessitates” another, it requires that the latter thing happen. One event is said to “entail” another when the latter is a necessary consequence of the former. For instance, “Because it requires a good deal of mathematical thought, learning to program a computer almost always entails becoming proficient at certain types of mathematics as well.”

Confer means to grant or bestow something.

"Abdicate" means to relinquish or give up power, position, or authority. "Manifest" means to make clear or obvious. "Assuage" means to soothe or relieve. "Dissemble" means to disguise or pretend. "Arbitrate" means to achieve a settlement or straighten out.

"Conform" means adhere to a set standard just as others do or match and agree, so "match" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, "forget" means lose the memory of; "aggrandize" means make seem more important or powerful than something or someone really is; "justify" means explain one's reasons for doing something; and "demean" means insult and degrade.

The word “propitiate” comes from the same Latin root from which we get the word “propitious,” meaning “favorable,” as in, “He quit his job in the most propitious circumstances, for the market for his skills was greatly in demand at very high rates of pay.” To “propitiate” is to do an action for the gods, as though one were sacrificing to please or calm them—in the hopes of attaining favorable circumstances. Therefore, the word is synonymous with “appease.”

"Sustain" is a verb with a variety of meanings, including "strengthen or support physically or mentally," "cause to continue or be prolonged for an extended period or without interruption," "undergo or suffer something unpleasant, especially an injury," or "uphold, affirm, or confirm the justice or validity of." Neither "crumble" nor "break" can be the correct answer because each word is an antonym of the second meaning of "sustain," "cause to continue or be prolonged for an extended period or without interruption." "Suffer," however, is synonymous with the third meaning of "sustain," "undergo or suffer something unpleasant, especially an injury." Because "suffer" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "sustain," it is the correct answer.

The word "commend" is found in the very familiar word "recommend." Though we usually use this latter word to mean to suggest, it means even more properly to suggest with praise and approval. The word "commend" means to praise. To "recommend" someone is to praise him or her again—to someone else, perhaps. To "laud" someone is to praise him or her. When someone graduates "cum laude," he or she graduates with praise.

Ameliorate means to make better or improve.

This question is not necessarily very hard, for the word "toil" is rather common; however, the two options "labor" and "work" might make you think that neither of these are correct, for they appear to be synonymous. Don't let this fact trick you! To "toil" means to work hard at something. Technically, the word "labor" implies difficult physical work. Thus, it is a slightly better option than "work." Therefore, this is the best option among those provided. Do not go searching for another option out of confusion over the two options "labor" and "work."