Nelson-Denny Practice Test

What is the meaning of "analyze"?

1. Confuse

2. Examine

3. Comply

4. Ignore

The correct answer is: Examine

The term "analyze" refers to the process of examining something in detail in order to understand it better or to draw conclusions from it. This involves breaking down a subject into its constituent parts and studying their relationships and functions. In a broader context, analysis is often applied in various fields, such as literature, science, and mathematics, where understanding the underlying elements of a data set, text, or concept is essential for deeper comprehension or informed decision-making. For instance, in reading comprehension, to analyze a text means to look closely at its themes, characters, and structure to interpret its meaning. The other options present actions that are contrary to the concept of analysis. Confusing something, for example, implies a lack of clarity and understanding, while complying involves following instructions or rules without critically examining them. Ignoring indicates a complete disregard for a subject, which is the opposite of the careful and thoughtful approach that analysis entails.