"Taper" means to diminish, to thin, or to decrease gradually, so "diminish," which means to decrease, is the correct answer. "Increase" is an antonym of "taper"; it means to make larger or to make a number greater. None of the other answer choices have meanings related to "taper": "qualify" means to satisfy eligibility requirements or conditions or make a point appear less certain; "soothe" means to calm someone or something down; and "combine" means to unite or blend together.

"Merge" means to come or blend together, so "blend" is the correct answer. For clarification, someone who is "prophetic" has insight into the future.

"Seep" refers to liquids and means to ooze or drip out of a container. The closest synonym of "seep" among the answer choices is "trickle," which means to flow slowly. When used as a verb, "flood" is an antonym of "seep"; it too can refer to liquids and mean to inundate, but it can also refer to other things and mean to provide with an excessive amount of. "Describe" means to explain or tell the qualities and characteristics of an item or person. "Inform" means to tell information to someone. "Reject" means to deny.

"Stifle" means stop something, slow something down, or smother something, so "smother," a verb that means cover something up and prevent air from getting to it, is the correct answer. For clarification, "imply" means suggest, "deride" means mock, and "launch" means begin or hurl.

"Mar" means ruin the appearance of, so "ruin" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "mar": "improve" means make better; "supply" means provide when used as a verb; "decompose" means rot; and "invalidate" means disprove or negate.

“Reside” means live in a certain area. The noun form of "reside" is "residence," which is where you live or a home. So, "live" is the correct answer.

"Envelop" means to wrap up or cover. "Surround" is the right choice, as it means to enclose, encompass, or encircle. 

If something “lolls,” then it hangs loosely. This is similar in meaning to “droop,” which means to sag or hang loosely. To clarify the other terms, a "lull" is a period of inactivity; a “drake” is a male duck.

"Abate" means to lessen or make less severe, so "diminish" is the best option. One might write, "When the two children were arguing, the return of their mother immediately abated the situation, as neither wanted to upset her with their yelling."

“Mince” is a verb that is often used to refer to meat and means grind up into small pieces, but it can also mean walk too fastidiously with tiny steps; so, we need to pick out a verb that means something like make into small pieces or walk fastidiously. So, that means that “amalgamate” cannot be the correct answer, because “amalgamate” is a verb that means unite multiple things into one thing, making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “mince.” “Dice,” however, when used as a verb, can mean cut up into tiny cubes, and because “dice” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “mince,” “dice” is the correct answer.