40. Select the meaning of the highlighted word in this sentence: Wracked by abdominal pain, the victim of food poisoning moaned and rubbed his *distended* belly.
Answer: C
Swollen
In the context of the sentence, "distended" refers to the victim's belly being swollen due to the abdominal pain caused by food poisoning. This swelling is a common symptom associated with such conditions.
A) concave
The term "concave" describes a shape that is curved inward, which is the opposite of what "distended" indicates. A distended belly is not concave; instead, it protrudes outward, making this option incorrect.
B) sore
While a sore belly may accompany abdominal pain, "sore" does not capture the physical condition of the belly as described by "distended." This term focuses on discomfort rather than the visible swelling, thus making it an unsuitable choice.
C) swollen
"Swollen" accurately describes the condition of the victim's belly as it relates to being distended. This term effectively conveys the idea of an increase in size or volume, which aligns perfectly with the symptoms of food poisoning.
D) empty
The word "empty" implies a lack of content, which contradicts the meaning of "distended." A distended belly is typically full or swollen, not empty, rendering this option incorrect.
Conclusion
The correct answer is "swollen," as it directly corresponds to the description of a distended belly resulting from abdominal pain due to food poisoning. All other options fail to accurately reflect this physical condition, either by suggesting opposite meanings or failing to encapsulate the symptoms associated with the context.