The related words here are perhaps a bit perplexing, for they include a mixture of contradictory terms. On the one hand, you have “agreement” and “consensus,” while on the other you are presented with “dispute” and “contention.” A consensus is a form of agreement, and contention is strife and disagreement; however, note that all of these words do share the notion of indicating things pertaining to agreement or lack thereof. In contrast to this, a legislature is at best the place where such agreement and disagreement occur. It does not indicate such agreement or disagreement itself.

The set of related words here all include some notion of forcefulness in communication. While “announcement” merely indicates the fact that someone has promulgated some kind of information in a formal manner. A bombast is a speech that is made in an inflated form of speech, attempting to impress others. Blustering is an aggressive form of speaking. To rant is to speak in a passionate, often wild manner.  Finally, to fulminate is to speak in protest in a strong manner. All of these words are far more forceful than the much more bland “announcement.”

All of these words describe some sort of ornamentation or jewelry. Do not be tricked into thinking that either decoration or ornament differs from the group. All five are actually somehow related to being a small item of decorative purposes—whether on a person or merely on a shelf. The real difference that sets “trinket” apart from the other words is the fact that a trinket is a small and often cheap ornament. This word alone indicates such inexpensiveness.

All of these options describe types of long clothing, neither pertaining to men or women necessarily. A gown, robe, or cloak could all be worn by either a man or by a women; however, note that all of the incorrect options do describe clothing that completely covers the body. Even a cloak, though an outer garment, completely covers the legs (generally, at least). It is different from a cap, which is often shorter and more decorative. In contrast to these options, a “skirt” merely “begins at the waist.” It is thus more limited in its coverage.

All of these words pertain to elevated areas of land. Something “alpine” is a type of land formation that is like the Alps—very elevated and mountainous. A sierra is a jagged mountain range. It is related to the word “serrated,” which is often used to describe knives that have jagged blades. (It ultimately comes from the word for “saw.” A sierra is a saw-like mountain range). A “massif” is a group of mountains, generally one that is gathered alone by itself in the middle of an otherwise non-mountainous terrain. In comparison with all of these words, “hillock” merely describes a small hill. Given that all the others describe elevations that are much higher, “hillock” is the word that does not fit with the group.

This group of words is very simple, so do not be fooled into thinking it is more complex than it really is. Note that all of the wrong answers are words for types of clothing that are worn over other articles of clothing. Although someone could wear one shirt overtop another, it is not necessarily the case that someone does that; however, it would be improper (or at least quite strange) if someone wore (for instance) a jacket without anything else.

All of the related words pertain to the general shape or structure of something but not to any specific form of shaping. The word “form” can mean “shape” or “outward appearance.” Think of how we speak of someone having a “lovely form”—that is, a beautiful appearance and well-balanced shaping. The structure of something is the general arrangement found among its parts, giving it a certain form of shape. “Curve” really names a single type of shape, not the general idea of arrangement, shaping, or forming.

The correct answer, “certitude,” implies a state of mind that is far more convinced of what is believed in than do the other options. To have a mere opinion is to believe something without necessarily having a truly justifiable or knowledgeable reason for it. A suspicion is merely to think that something is possibly the case without being totally certain of the justification of that opinion. A “hunch” is likewise a kind of suspicion. To act “on a hunch” is to act on an intuition without being sure that the “hunch” is completely justifiable. We can have an “impression” of something without having much evidence. (A “first impression” is the first hunch that someone has about the character of another person—though based often on just that first meeting).

All of these words indicate some kind of esteem or liking for someone else; however, the word “infatuation” differs in degree from the others. All of the others merely indicate the fact of liking.  Amity merely means “a friendly relationship.” (“Amicable” means “having a friendly personality.”  Both these words come from the Latin for “friend”). Warmth can be used as a psychological adjective for “affection,” indicating a true, often fond liking for someone. An infatuation is an obsessive love for someone. The word actually comes from the Latin meaning “stupid or foolish.” To be infatuated is to be so obsessed with someone that you act quite stupidly.

In contrast to the word “division,” the four other options all pertain to some kind of combination or mingling of things together. When we “conflate” two things (for example, two ideas), we mix them together, forgetting that they really were separate matters. To fuse two items is to join them together into a new single item. Of course, “mixture” and “mingling” mean such gatherings of multiple things into one thing—all contrasting with “division.”