When you "compute" something, like a math problem, you "calculate" the answer to that problem. As for the other answer choices, when used as a verb, "reason" meansto use logic to solve a problem;"discover" meansto find; and "signify" meansto express or have one thing stand for another.

"Preoccupy" is a verb that is used of a matter or subject and means "dominate or engross the mind of (someone) to the exclusion of other thoughts." So, we need to pick out a verb that means something like "engross." That means that "forget" cannot be the correct answer, because if someone forgets something, that means that it cannot preoccupy their thoughts. "Absorb," however, is a verb that means "absorb all the attention or interest of," and because "absorb" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "preoccupy," "engross" is the correct answer.

The word “demonstrate” meansto show how something is done by doing it yourself as an example, so the correct answer is “show.” The word “possess” meansto have; the word “compete” meansto face someone in a competition; and to “allow” something meansto let it happen without trying to prohibit it or stop it.

To “gaze” at someone or something meansto look at them for a long time, so it is closest in meaning to “stare.”

To "instruct"meanspass on information or a skill. This is very close in meaning to the verb "teach."Thus, "teach"is the best synonym. The other words are unrelated to the act of instruction.

"Persuade"meansto make someone believe a particular opinion or way of thinking. "Convince" meansto get a person to take on certain thoughts or ideas as their own. Given how similar these words are in meaning, they are synonyms, and "convince" is the correct answer.

To "advertise" meansto spread the word about something, often a product people can buy. Similarly, to "publicize" meansto put something in the public eye. Putting something in the public eye will certainly spread the word about it. Therefore, "advertise"and "publicize"are synonyms.

When people or groups "cooperate," theywork together to achieve a common goal. Since "unite" meanscome together, this verb is the most relevant choice. When we take a look at the other three answers, we can see that both "disagree" and "compete" refer to actions that donotinvolve working together in harmony. Finally, to "startle" another individual is tosurprisehim or her, so that term has nothing to do with our original word.

To "describe" means toportraywhat something is. The word that best matches this is "explain," which means todiscuss something in detail so one's listeners better understand that thing. Therefore, it is the correct answer. The other words are unrelated to this.

To “indicate” meansto show somethingorto explain to someone how something should be done or understood.The word “mock” meansto make fun of, and the word “reckon” means想or想something is true.