TOEFLReadingAcademic Texts

Synonym of FACILITATE.

AHinder
BMake easierCORRECT
CPay
DPunish
AI
Toasta AI Explanation
Why the answer is B, and why the others tempt you.
**The reasoning** To **facilitate** means to make a process or action easier or smoother. Think of it as removing obstacles so something can flow better. For example: "The teacher facilitated the discussion by asking guiding questions" — she made it easier for students to participate. When looking for synonyms, focus on the core meaning: what does the word help accomplish? "Facilitate" helps things move forward more smoothly, so **"make easier"** captures this perfectly. **Why the wrong options tempt you** - **Hinder** is actually the *opposite* — it means to obstruct or slow down - **Pay** might confuse you if you're thinking of "facilitate payment," but facilitate describes *how* you make paying easier, not the payment itself - **Punish** has no connection; perhaps it sounds formal like "facilitate," but meaning matters more than tone **Quick takeaway** Remember: **facilitate = smooth the path** — you're removing friction to make things easier, never harder.
Want this in Pidgin, Yoruba, Igbo or Hausa? Sign up free →

Practice more Reading questions

TOEFL Reading has thousands more questions like this — with AI explanations on every one.