Which noun refers to destroying or killing a large part of the population?

Which noun refers to destroying or killing a large part of the population?

• A. Decimation
• B. Besiege
• C. Constraint
• D. Provisional

Answer: (A)

The concept being tested is a noun that means widespread destruction or wipeout of a population. Decimation fits this idea because it denotes destroying or severely reducing a large portion of a group. Historically it referred to killing one in ten in a troop, but today it’s used to describe drastic reduction or devastation of a population or amount. The other words don’t capture that sense: besiege means to surround and attack a place, constraint means a limitation or restriction, and provisional means temporary or conditional. So decimation is the best fit to describe destroying or killing a large part of the population.

The concept being tested is a noun that means widespread destruction or wipeout of a population. Decimation fits this idea because it denotes destroying or severely reducing a large portion of a group. Historically it referred to killing one in ten in a troop, but today it’s used to describe drastic reduction or devastation of a population or amount. The other words don’t capture that sense: besiege means to surround and attack a place, constraint means a limitation or restriction, and provisional means temporary or conditional. So decimation is the best fit to describe destroying or killing a large part of the population.