The word “fathom” has an interesting derivation. It comes from the measurement of someone’s arms being stretched outward (like “foot” was originally designated to measure the “standard foot size”). It now is used to measure the depth of water and is equal to about six feet per unit. Since it is associated with being “deep,” the verb form of “fathom” means to understand something difficult or deep; therefore, it can mean to comprehend.

"Beseech" is a verb that means implore or entreat. "Decline," then, cannot be the correct answer, because "decline" means refuse in a polite way, making "decline" an antonym of "beseech," not a synonym. "Beg," however, is a verb that means ask in a humble manner, and because "beg" is the answer choice that is closest in meaning to "beseech," "beg" is the correct answer.

"Stymie" and "thwart" both mean to frustrate or hinder. "Explicate" means to clarify or explain. "Abjure" means to give up. "Feint" means a pretense or ruse. "Inveigle" means to entice or manipulate. 

"Spurn" and "repudiate" both mean to turn away or ignore. "Sanction" means an embargo or punishment. "Solicit" means to plead for or to try to sell. "Amalgamate" means to blend or consolidate. "Extirpate" means to destroy or uproot.

"Quibble" and "bicker" both mean to disagree over a minor point. "Concur" means to agree or approve. "Denigrate" means to belittle or malign. "Importune" means to demand or insist. "Whet" means to make sharp or hone.

"Belabor" and "rehash" both mean to dwell on. "Slake" means to decrease or assuage. "Doff" means to remove or discard. "Suborn" means to bribe. "Atone" means to compensate or make amends.

"Spurn" is a verb that means "reject with disdain or contempt." So, "accept" cannot be the correct answer, because it is an antonym of "spurn," not a synonym. "Rebuff," a word that when used as a verb means "reject someone or something in an abrupt or ungracious manner," is the answer choice closest in meaning to "spurn," so "rebuff" is the correct answer.

The word “placate” is related distantly to “to please,” but it most properly means “to please someone in order to calm him or her.” Consider its use in an example sentence: “Although the worker had been quite angry about his low pay, the promise of a raise managed to placate his rage.” The word “appease” does not merely mean “to please,” but even more properly means “to soothe the demands of someone.”

The word "recognize" means to identify as something previously known. The best choice here is "recollect" because is shares a similar meaning—to remember. Considering the other choices, the word "forget" is an antonym of "recognize" that means to be let slip from one's memory, "think" means consider, and "see" means look at and notice.

"Mandate" is a word that when used as a verb means to order or demand. "Order" is the best choice here since it is a part of the definition of "mandate." Considering the other choices, "inure" means to toughen, "manage" means to take care of, and "oppress" means to subdue with restraints.