What is the meaning of the word 'placebo' in the following sentence: 'Ten patients will receive the experimental drug while 10 take a placebo'?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: In the context of the sentence, the word 'placebo' refers to a substance or treatment that resembles a real medical treatment but has no therapeutic effect. It is used as a standard against which the effects of the experimental drug are compared. A placebo is typically included in a control group in medical research to evaluate the actual effects of the experimental drug. Therefore, in this scenario, the placebo serves as a control to gauge the effectiveness of the experimental drug, making choice C the correct answer. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because a placebo is not a fallback, substitute, or curative treatment in this context.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The word 'ameliorate' means to improve or make something better. In this sentence, the question is asking whether the dosage made the tenderness better, indicating an improvement in the condition. Therefore, the correct meaning of 'ameliorate' is to improve, making option B the correct choice. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect as they do not accurately reflect the meaning of 'ameliorate' in the context provided.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The term 'doleful' is best described as feeling or expressing sorrow or sadness. 'Downcast' aligns with this meaning as it refers to having a dejected or low spirit, which matches the nature of doleful. Options A, B, and C do not directly relate to the sense of sadness or sorrow that doleful conveys. 'Unwell' means in poor health, 'deprived' means lacking something essential, and 'conceited' means having an excessively favorable opinion of oneself, none of which capture the essence of doleful.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Another word for the collarbone is the clavicle. The term 'clavicle' is commonly used in anatomy to refer to this bone that connects the arm to the rest of the body's skeleton. Choice A, 'cloaca,' is incorrect as it refers to a bodily cavity that serves as the opening for the intestinal, genital, and urinary tracts in many vertebrates. Choice B, 'cannula,' is incorrect as it refers to a tube inserted into a vein or body cavity to administer medication or drain fluid. Choice D, 'clavier,' is incorrect as it refers to a keyboard musical instrument.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Unruffled means calm and not agitated. The word 'composed' also means calm and collected, making it the correct synonym in this context. 'Concerned' (choice A) means worried or anxious, 'wholesome' (choice B) means promoting health and well-being, and 'tedious' (choice C) means boring or monotonous, making them all incorrect choices.