The word "persist" comes from root words in Latin that mean to stand thoroughly, to the end. To "persist" is to remain steadfast and devoted to something—not giving up but instead continuing. A "persistent" cold is one that remains for a long time, and a "persistent" person is someone who never gives up. The word "persist" can be used as a verb to indicate that something continues on, as when "the cold weather persisted for weeks," meaning that it continued or endured for weeks. (To "endure" can mean to continue existing.) Therefore, the best option among those provided is "endure." Note, however, that "to persist" does not necessarily mean "to devote." "To devote" time to something might be a way of persisting, but the two words do not exactly indicate the same thing.

"Negligent" is an adjective that means "failing to take proper care in doing something. While "negative" might look like a potentially good answer because both "negligent" and "negative" begin with the root word "neg-" which means "no," "not," or "deny," "negative" does not mean the same thing as "negligent," so it cannot be the correct answer. "Irresponsible," however, is an adjective that is used of a person, attitude, or action and means "not showing a proper sense of responsability." Because "irresponsible" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "negligent," it is the correct answer.

The word "apprehend" comes from the Latin for to lay ahold of. When we "com-prehend" something, we understand it thoroughly—we grasp it thoroughly. The word "apprehend" is often used when we talk about capturing a criminal. The police "apprehend" a wrongdoer, meaning that they capture, seize, or catch him or her. Therefore, the best answer among those provided is "catch."

The word "annihilate" literally means "to make into nothing." The "-nihil-" portion of the word comes from the Latin for "nothing." "Annihilation" is complete destruction, and "to annihilate" is to bring about such complete destruction. Although bombing, battering, and attacking might be means to bringing it about, only the word "obliterate" is a good synonym for complete destruction. The word "obliterate" means "to utterly destroy" and literally means "to erase like letters from a paper." To "obliterate" a city is to "wipe it out from existence."

The word "illuminate" has the base "-lumen- / -lumin" in it. This comes from the Latin for "light." If you look at your lightbulbs, you will see that they are not only measured in watts but also in "lumens." This measurement—"lumens"—indicates the amount of light that the bulb produces. During the holiday season, people might speak of "exterior illumination" when they decorate their houses outside. This describes the "outside lights" that they put up on the house and the bushes and/or trees around their houses. To "illuminate" something is to shine light on it. Therefore, the best option for a synonym is "brighten."

"Domestic" means pertaining to the home. The best choice is "household" because it has the same definition as domestic when used as an adjective, as in the phrase "household chores." The "dom-" in "domestic" comes from the Latin word for house.

The word "conspicuous" has a root that you might not see at first. The "-spic-" is related to the "spec-" that we find in "spectator" and "spectacle." A "spectator" is someone who watches an event (perhaps a sports game). A "spectacle" is something very visible—a massive event, so large that it is very visible. Likewise, "spectacles" are glasses that someone wears—things helping you to see. When something is "conspicuous," it is not at all hidden. The "con-" prefix does not mean with or among like it does in other words. Here, it merely means very. Something "conspicuous" is very visible.  Among our options, however, "visible" is the only appropriate answer.  This is a fine synonym, given the other answers. 

Note that while something "conspicuous" could become famous (since it is so easily seen), the word "conspicuous" does not itself designate such fame. It merely deals with being able to be seen.

The word "analysis" comes from Greek roots meaning to break apart. The analysis of a sentence provides an overview of all its parts—it breaks it apart and shows the parts for what they are. The activity of producing such an "analysis" is called "analyzing." This is the opposite of "synthesizing," which is the activity of putting together multiple things into a single whole. We "synthesize" material when we bring it together to make an argument and, likewise, "synthesize" chemicals when we create them out of their parts. An "examination" is a thorough review of the details of something, somewhat like an analysis. Therefore, among the options provided, "examine" is the best synonym for "analyze." Note, that while you might discuss something while analyzing it, this is not necessary. (You can always analyze something by yourself, without discussion.)

The prefix "sev-" or "sec-" often relates to cutting, so it makes sense that the word “sever” means to cut one thing off of another completely. The word “sprint” means to run quickly; the word “fix” means to mend or repair something; and the word “aid” means help.

The word "sanctuary" includes the root "sanct-," which is from the Greek for "holy." "Sanctuary" originally referred to a religious place of worship where people could not be arrested for certain crimes. Since then, the word's meaning has shifted to be more general, and today it is used to mean a place that offers comfort or shelter, sometimes associated with a particular religious group, so "shelter" is the correct answer.