"Incensed" is an adjective that means "very angry; enraged," so we will need to pick out an adjective that means something like "very angry." "Serene" cannot be the correct answer, then, because "serene" is an adjective that means "calm, peaceful, and untroubled; tranquil," making "serene" an antonym, not a synonym, of "incensed." "Furious," however, is an adjective that means "extremely angry" or "full of anger or energy; violent or intense," and because "furious" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "incensed," "furious" is the correct answer.

"Despondent" is an adjective that means "in low spirits from loss of hope or courage." So, while "ponderous" may sound somewhat similar to "despondent" because of the words' shared "-pon-" syllable, "ponderous" means "slow and clumsy because of great weight," or "dull, laborious, or excessively solemn," so it does not mean the same thing as "despondent" and cannot be the correct answer. "Disconsolate," however, is an adjective that means "without consolation or comfort; unhappy," and because it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "despondent," it is the correct answer.

Our initial word—"thoughtful"—is quite simple. However, we must track down the synonym from among a list of more difficult ones. While philosophers are generally thoughtful people, this is not really a synonym for being thoughtful. The other words do not fit at all. (Of them, “teleological” is perhaps the most unknown, meaning roughly, “having an end or a purpose.”) The word “pensive” describes someone who thinks deeply. It comes from the Latin for “to ponder,” though this is actually from the word "pendere," meaning to weigh. (Think of the expression, “weigh your words carefully.”) The French "penser" for to think is likewise a good parallel example, and it can be found in the famous expression of Descartes: "Je pense donc je sui," I think therefore I am. Likewise, there is the influential logic text from the 17^th century, L’art de penser, “The art of thinking.”

Someone who is affable is pleasant and friendly.  For instance, an affable friend is warm and kindhearted.

Someone who is despondent is depressed or discouraged.  The person is not necessarily poor, so the other answer choices referencing poverty are not correct.

Strictly speaking, the word “daunting” describes something that is intimidating to the point of causing fear. Very often, it is used in sentences with the word “task” or “undertaking” to indicate that some project is so difficult and intimidating that it likely frightens those who would attempt it away from any such attempt. The two words “immense” and “massive” might be used to describe something that is daunting, but they do not signify the same thing as “daunting.”

Several of the options provided here are attempting to lead you to confuse “morose” with “morbid.” The latter is related to death and someone’s temperament often leading to focus on death. A morose person is really someone who is “gloomy” or perhaps depressive. While such a person might be morbid, the words are separate.

The word “poignant” comes from the Latin for “to prick” or “pierce.” Something that is “poignant” pierces to the heart, often evoking emotions of sadness something that no longer exists or for some regret. For instance, an elderly person might be said to experience poignant memories of his or her youth, spent joyfully with friends who are no longer alive. Among the options provided, only “sorrowful” indicates the sadness brought about by such memories.

"Pusillanimous" and "timorous" both mean fearful or cowardly. "Valiant" means brave or courageous. "Sumptuous" means luxurious or splendid. "Viable" means reasonable or practical. "Prevalent" means accepted or widespread. 

"Lugubrious" means sorrowful or bleak. "Decorous" means appropriate or suitable. "Congenial" means friendly or affable. "Avuncular" refers to something advisable. "Prompt" means on-time or responsive.