Directions: Each item consists of a sentence with underlined word/words followed by four words. Select the word that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word/words. The oppressive pollution was noticed to have abated after the unseasonal rainfall.

Step-by-step solution

The word 'abated' means to become less intense, severe, or widespread. Among the given options, 'mitigated' means to make something bad less severe, serious, or painful, which is the nearest in meaning to 'abated'. 'Enhanced' means increased or intensified. 'Discontinued' means stopped or ceased. 'Suppressed' means forcibly put an end to or prevented from developing. Therefore, 'mitigated' is the correct synonym. Answer: mitigated