Direction: Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank. For years, people afflicted with the itchy skin condition used stinky coal tar derivatives to ______ their symptoms.
alleviate
Understanding the Question Context
The question asks us to find the most suitable word to complete a sentence describing how a treatment (stinky coal tar derivatives) was used for an itchy skin condition. The blank needs a verb that describes the action of the treatment on the symptoms of the condition. We need to choose the word that best fits the idea of reducing or managing the negative effects of the skin condition.
The sentence is: "For years, people afflicted with the itchy skin condition used stinky coal tar derivatives to ______ their symptoms."
Analyzing Vocabulary Options
Let's look at the meaning of each option provided:
| Option | Meaning |
|---|---|
| obviate | To remove a need or difficulty. While a treatment might remove the need for future treatment, it doesn't directly describe the action on existing symptoms. |
| refer | To mention or allude to; to send or direct someone or something for treatment, aid, or information. This word has no connection to treating symptoms directly. |
| deviate | To depart from an established course or standard. This describes a change in direction or behavior, not the effect of a treatment on symptoms. |
| alleviate | To make suffering, deficiency, or a problem less severe. This perfectly describes the action of a treatment that reduces the intensity or discomfort of symptoms like itching from a skin condition. |
Why Alleviate is the Appropriate Word
The sentence discusses using a substance to affect "their symptoms". Symptoms are the subjective experiences of a disease or condition, such as pain, itching, or discomfort. A treatment for a condition with symptoms typically aims to make those symptoms less bothersome or severe.
- Obviate means to remove a difficulty entirely, often by anticipating it. While a cure might obviate the condition and its symptoms, a treatment that just manages symptoms doesn't necessarily obviate them.
- Refer is used when directing someone or something elsewhere. It doesn't describe treating symptoms.
- Deviate means to move away from a path or standard. It has no relevance to treating symptoms.
- Alleviate means to make something less severe. This is precisely what treatments for conditions with bothersome symptoms, like an itchy skin condition, are designed to do. They make the itching less intense, less frequent, or more bearable.
Therefore, the word that best fits the context of making the symptoms of an itchy skin condition less severe or more bearable is 'alleviate'.
Revision Table: Understanding Similar Words
| Word | Meaning | Example Usage in Medical Context |
|---|---|---|
| Alleviate | To lessen the severity of (pain or suffering). | Medication can help alleviate headaches. |
| Mitigate | To make less severe, serious, or painful. Similar to alleviate. | Using cold compresses can mitigate swelling. |
| Relieve | Cause pain, anxiety, or distress to cease or lessen. Very similar to alleviate. | This cream will relieve the itching. |
| Exacerbate | To make a problem, bad situation, or negative feeling worse. (Opposite of alleviate/relieve). | Scratching can exacerbate the rash. |
Additional Information: Itchy Skin Conditions and Treatments
Itchy skin conditions, also known as pruritus, can be caused by various factors including allergies, irritants, dryness, infections, or underlying medical conditions. Symptoms can range from mild discomfort to severe itching that affects sleep and quality of life.
Treatments for itchy skin conditions aim to control the underlying cause and manage the symptoms. Common treatments include:
- Moisturizers to combat dryness.
- Topical corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and itching.
- Antihistamines to block histamine, a chemical involved in itching.
- Coal tar derivatives, historically and sometimes currently used, which can help reduce inflammation, scaling, and itching in conditions like psoriasis and eczema. These are often known for a strong odor.
- Phototherapy (light therapy).
The goal of these treatments is to alleviate the discomfort caused by the itching and other symptoms.
Important Questions from Fill in the Blanks
Direction : Select the word or group of words you consider most appropriate for the blank space and indicate your response on the answer sheet accordingly.
There was a time when West Germany was a distinct ______.
Direction: Select the word or group of words you consider most appropriate for the blank space and indicate your response on the answer sheet accordingly.
My son is very _____, he trusts everyone.Direction: Select the word or group of words you consider most appropriate for the blank space and indicate your response on the answer sheet accordingly.
I wish I _____ her before we met.Directions: Each of the following items in this section has a sentence with a missing preposition. Select the correct preposition from the given options and mark your response accordingly.
I accepted the offer _______ certain conditions.
Directions: Each of the following items in this section has a sentence with a missing preposition. Select the correct preposition from the given options and mark your response accordingly.
He visits the needy to relieve them ______ their sufferings and poverty.
