SAT Vocab Builder

Answer: Choice (B) is correct.

In the first half of the analogy, propagate and proliferate are synonyms; they both mean to reproduce or multiply. So, look for the answer pair that contains the synonyms. In choice (A), to atrophy means to waste away, and to gestate means to evolve, as in the prenatal stage. These are not synonyms, so eliminate this choice. In choice (C), to censure means to blame, not to commend, so eliminate that choice. In choice (D), to hew means to chop - typically with an ax - not to combine, so eliminate choice (D). The only choice that contains synonyms is choice (B). To expurgate means to purge or to purify, so that choice is correct.