The corporation's public apology did little to _______ the anger of consumers who felt they had been deliberately misled. Protests continued despite the company's acknowledgment of wrongdoing.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
intensify
justify
measure
diminish
Correct Answer: D
Choice D is the best answer. The passage states the apology "did little" to affect anger, and protests continued. "Diminish" means to reduce, which is what the apology failed to accomplish regarding consumer anger.
Choice A is incorrect because "intensify" means to increase, the opposite of what an apology would attempt. Choice B is incorrect because "justify" means to defend, not to reduce anger. Choice C is incorrect because "measure" means to assess, not to reduce.