Question

The policy announcement was made to the much chagrin of the farmers.

• A. euphoria
• B. placation
• C. glee
• D. Mortification

Hint:

When solving synonym questions, always eliminate opposite meanings first, then pick the closest in tone.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Meaning of the word.
"Chagrin" means distress, embarrassment, humiliation, or mortification at having failed or been disappointed. 

Step 2: Match with options.
- (a) Euphoria → extreme happiness (opposite meaning).
- (b) Placation → soothing or calming (not the same).
- (c) Glee → joy, delight (again opposite).
- (d) Mortification → deep shame, embarrassment, humiliation → exact synonym. \[ \Rightarrow \boxed{\text{Mortification is the synonym of Chagrin.}} \]

Answer 2

Read the word in its sentence: "The policy announcement was made to the much chagrin of the farmers." Substituting each option in place of "chagrin" tests which one keeps the sentence's negative, disappointed tone intact.

1. Option 1 (euphoria): "To the much euphoria of the farmers" would mean they were thrilled, flipping the sentence's negative tone entirely.
2. Option 2 (placation): "To the much placation of the farmers" suggests they were being soothed or calmed, which doesn't match a policy causing distress.
3. Option 3 (glee): "To the much glee of the farmers" again implies delight, the opposite of the intended negative reaction.
4. Option 4 (Mortification): "To the much mortification of the farmers" preserves the sense of embarrassment and distress that "chagrin" carries in this sentence.

Only "mortification" keeps the sentence's original negative, humiliated tone.

Hence, the correct answer is Mortification.