Don't confuse the word "taper" with the piglike mammal the "tapir," or think of it as "one who tapes" something. The word "taper" used to refer to a candle. From there it came to mean "rising like a flame," and eventually came to its present meaning of gradually decreasing (much like how many candles decrease in size from the base to the wick). Both physical objects (like a cone or pants) and less-tangible things (like anger or sales figures) can be said to taper when they decrease.

"Ebb," when used as a noun, means "the movement of the tide out to sea," and when used as a verb, it means "move away from land; recede" when referring to tides and "gradually lessen or reduce" when referring to emotions or qualities. Since none of our potential answer choices have to do with tides, we should pick one out that is a verb meaning something like "gradually lessen." While "increase" may have initially looked like a correct answer, "increase" means the opposite as "ebb," so it cannot be the correct answer. "Dwindle," however, means "diminish gradually in size, amount, or strength." Because "dwindle" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "ebb," "dwindle" is the correct answer.

"Segregate" means separate from the rest of a group, often due to particular charatacteristics. Therefore, "separate," which when used as a verb means divide from the rest of a group, is the correct answer. 

"Cultivate" means develop, prepare or grow. Therefore, "develop" is the proper synonym.

"Mar" means to ruin or spoil. To further help you, "rectify" means to fix; "impose" means to assert, to force one’s will upon; "pungent" means strong smelling; "horrify" means to scare greatly.

"Plummet" means plunge, nosedive, or fall straight down, so "plunge" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "plummet": "deviate" means stray from the normal course or path; "determine" means solve or figure out; "sway" means  move forward and backwards in turn; and "loathe" means despise or hate.

"Scamper" means to run away in a hurry; as such it is closest in meaning to "dash." To further help you, "wanton" means random; "ratify" means approve, especially with regard to lawmaking; "egress" means exit or way out; "dawdle" means to delay or to walk slowly and without purpose. 

"Dispel" is a verb that means to do away with or scatter. The best choice is "scatter" since it is a part of the definition of "dispel." Considering the other options, "enchant" means to put under magical influence literally or figuratively, "spell" is a noun that means list the consecutive letters in a given word, "fall" means to drop from the force of gravity, and "reconsider" means think about a given choice one more time, perhaps going back on one's original decision.

"Cut" is a verb that means to divide with a sharp edge. "Pierce" is the best choice since it shares the meaning to penetrate. Considering the other choices, "sow" means to plant seeds, "repair" means to fix, and "damage" means to harm.

“Seclude” means keep away from other people, or “isolate.” “Pester” means annoy or bother; “depose” means get rid of or overthrow; “hesitate” means delay, pause, or wait in making a decision or acting; and “entail” means involve or require.