"Counsel" most nearly means to advise or give explanation. Variations include "counselor", such as a legal advocate or therapist. "Counsel" should not be confused with its homonym "council," which refers to a group of individuals who make collective decisions. "Cooperate" and "forgive" have no relation to the word "counsel."

"Decree" most nearly means to declare or to make a formal declaration. "Decree" can also be used a noun, for example a "royal decree" from a monarch. "Denounce" and "deny" both relate to refusing a fact or circumstance and are therefore not exact synonyms of "decree." "Decide" is somewhat related to the word "decree", as it means to come to a resolution or answer on a question; however, to "decree", that decision must be announced publicly, which more closely related to the word "declare." "Deviate" has no relation to the word "decree."

"Placate" most nearly means to appease or to calm through agreement. The words "pretend," "aspire," "quit," and "convene" have no relation to the word "placate." "Aspire" means to direct one's ambitions towards a goal (for example, "She aspires to be a doctor.") "Convene" most nearly means to bring together in a group.

"Condone" is a verb that means to allow or forgive. A typical example would be an authority figure who "condones" a subordinate's behavior. "Supply" and "forget" have no relation to the word "condone," while "prohibit" and "condemn" are antonyms. Therefore, the correct answer is "allow." 

"Arguing" involves a disagreement between two or more people who hold different views on a topic. "Quarreling" is the best synonym of "arguing."

Incorrect Answers:

"Talking" means to speak.

"Whispering" means to speak quietly.

"Communicating" involves the sharing of information.

"Assisting" means to help someone else.

"Confess" means to accept fault for something. "Acknowledge," which means to admit guilt, is the best synonym of "confess."

Incorrect Answers:

"Yearn" indicates a desire to do something.

"Ponder" means to think about.

"Enable" involves giving someone the power to do something.

"Create" means bring something into existence.

To stuff yourself with food would be the same thing as to gorge yourself. Both meaning "over-eating." 

Slithered and glided both refer to the snake's movement.  

None of the above words describe that the grasshopper jumped or left the person's hands. 

“Stretch” is a verb that refers to things that are soft or elastic and means “be made or be capable of being made longer or wider without tearing or breaking,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “be made longer.” That means that “shrink” cannot be the correct answer, because “shrink” means “to become or make smaller in size or amount,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “stretch.” “Extend,” however, is a verb that means “cause to cover a larger area; make longer or wider,” and because “extend” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “stretch,” “extend” is the correct answer.