causing sleep or lethargy

• A. Sublime
• B. Pungent
• C. Soporific
• D. Reticent

Answer: (C)

The idea tested is matching a word to its precise meaning, especially for adjectives that describe effects or qualities. Soporific means causing sleep or lethargy. The root sopor- relates to sleep, and the suffix -ific means making or producing, so it literally describes something that induces sleep. An example helps: a soporific lecture might lull listeners into dozing.

Sublime refers to something of noble or impressive beauty or excellence, not sleep. Pungent describes a sharp smell or taste, or a biting quality, which also isn’t about sleep. Reticent means being reserved or not revealing thoughts or feelings, again unrelated to sleep.