The question asks for the closest synonym of the italicised word "nomads" in the sentence: "Human beings were nomads centuries ago. Nomads moved from place to place in search of food."

Understanding the Word Nomads

Based on the sentence provided, nomads are people who moved from place to place, specifically stated as being "in search of food." This implies a lifestyle without a permanent settlement, constantly moving to find resources for survival.

Analyzing Synonym Options for Nomads

Let's look at the meanings of the given options:

• wanderers: This refers to people who travel or roam around from place to place without a specific purpose or permanent home. This definition aligns very closely with the description of nomads moving from place to place in search of food.
• pilgrims: These are people who journey to a sacred place, usually for religious reasons. While they move from place to place, their movement is tied to a specific spiritual destination, not just a general search for sustenance. Therefore, this is not the closest synonym.
• ramblers: These are people who walk for pleasure, typically in the countryside. This implies leisurely movement, which is different from the constant movement of nomads driven by the necessity of finding food for survival.
• vagabonds: This term refers to people who wander from place to place without a home or job, often used in a slightly negative sense implying aimlessness or idleness. While they wander, "wanderers" is a more neutral and direct synonym for someone who lacks a fixed home and moves around, fitting the historical context of early humans.

Identifying the Closest Synonym

Comparing the definitions, the word that most accurately and neutrally describes people who move from place to place without a fixed home, as the sentence describes early human nomads searching for food, is wanderers.