Question

best word
circle the word which works best in each sentence.

1. the elderly woman was (desperate / obliged) to the young man for holding the door open.
2. i could tell by his (quench / tortured) expression that his broken arm was causing him a lot of pain.
3. i was so (antiseptic / desperate) to make the baseball team that i practiced every morning.
4. evan always felt (awkward / obliged) hanging out with his older brothers friends.
5. using (tortured / antiseptic) creams on your cuts will keep them from getting infected.
6. after the tiring tennis match, i bought a drink to (awkward / quench) my thirst

Explanation:

1. "Desperate" means having a great need or desire, while "obliged" means being legally or morally bound. In the context of the elderly woman needing the young man to hold the door open, "obliged" doesn't fit as well as "desperate" which implies a strong need.
2. "Tortured" means causing severe pain or suffering, while "quench" means to satisfy (thirst). The broken arm causing pain fits "tortured".
3. "Desperate" means having a great need or desire, while "antiseptic" is related to preventing infection. The need to make the baseball team fits "desperate".
4. "Awkward" means lacking grace or skill, while "obliged" means being bound. The feeling of being uncomfortable (awkward) when hanging out with older brother's friends makes sense.
5. "Antiseptic" is used to prevent infection, while "tortured" is about pain. Using creams on cuts to prevent infection fits "antiseptic".
6. "Quench" means to satisfy (thirst), while "awkward" is about clumsiness. Buying a drink to satisfy thirst fits "quench".

Answer:

1. desperate
2. tortured
3. desperate
4. awkward
5. antiseptic
6. quench