Choose the synonym of COMMENCE.

**The reasoning** COMMENCE is a formal verb that means "to start or begin something." When an event commences, it's starting or getting underway. Think of a ceremony: "The graduation will commence at 10 a.m." means it will **begin** at 10 a.m. A synonym is a word with the same or nearly the same meaning. Since COMMENCE = to start, the word closest in meaning is **BEGIN**. **Why the wrong options tempt you** - **End (A)** is actually the *opposite* (antonym) of commence, not a synonym. This traps students who confuse the two terms. - **Pause (C)** means to temporarily stop — related to timing, but not about starting. - **Delay (D)** means to postpone or push back the start time — it's about preventing something from commencing, not starting it. These options all relate to time and events, which makes them feel relevant, but only BEGIN matches the actual meaning. **Quick takeaway** Whenever you see COMMENCE, mentally replace it with "begin" — they're interchangeable, just that commence sounds more formal.