All of the related words here have to do with some process of “standing between” two things. Someone “mediates” by attempting to help two parties agree. (More generally, the term can mean “to be a link between two things”). An intervention is an action by which something is stopped by means of some obstacle (literally or metaphorically). To translate is “carry” the meaning from one language to another. (The “-late” portion " the word literally means “carry”!). To insinuate can mean “to make a suggestion indirectly;” however, it can also mean “to manipulate a situation so as to place oneself into some favorable position.” Only “operate” does not convey this sense of “mediation” found in all the other options.

Each of the related words describes some action of making an idea more specific or explicit. For instance, to specify the details of an order is to “spell out” the exact details of that order.  A description can be seen as an itemizing or something in order to make it known in its details. When we “determine” to do something, we choose a certain actual thing to do after having had a number of potential activities. To explicate is to explain, often implying detailed analysis. Only “recount” has little to do with any of these other words. It means to “retell” as in “recounting a story.” This might be a nice detailed account, but the word does not necessarily signify such detail. 

All of the words provided indicate some state of affairs when someone is unable to walk in a proper manner; however, note that the incorrect options all pertain to somewhat disastrous types of fumbling about. When someone stumbles, he or she nearly falls while walking about. A blundering person is clumsy. Someone lurching is uncontrolled in his or her movement. To “shuffle along” merely means to walk without picking up your feet. While not the best way of transporting oneself, this is not quite so extreme as the other cases.

Notice that all of the incorrect options describe a state of affairs in which someone or something is hated to a great degree. Indeed, most of the words are synonyms. The one exception is “despise” which means “to feel contempt for someone or something.” This is because the word comes from literal roots meaning “to look down on.” Still, all of these words indicate a state of affairs in which something is disliked to a great degree. In contrast with this, the very weak word “dislike” stands out as not fitting into the group.

Each of the related words indicate an action of approving some idea or thing. To acknowledge something is to admit that it is true. To uphold an idea is to support it or maintain it (perhaps in spite of opposition). To endorse is to declare publicly that you believe something. In contrast to these words, “assert” adds the additional notion of strongly stating something that is approved or acknowledged, often with the implication that such asserting is being done in order to convince the other person.

Each of the related words describe some small type of small eating or drinking action, not taking a large quantity in any bite or drink. In contrast to these, “gulp” is a much larger type of eating / drinking, hence not fitting with the overall group.

Each of the related words here are examples of very soft sounds. In comparison with them, the word “blare” describes a loud and often harsh sound—like the blaring of a siren. Since all the others are soft sounds, this one loud sound does not fit with the whole group of sounds.

Note that all of these words pertain to praise in some manner but likewise note that they do not indicate the same “amount” or “intensity of praise.” All of the incorrect options are expressions of great, enthusiastic praise. To “laud” is to praise enthusiastically, often publically. “Acclaim” is related to words like “clamorous” and “proclaim,” both of which come from the Latin for “to shout.” An “acclamation” is loudly spoken praise. To “adulate” is to praise someone so greatly that it might even seem fawning or like a servant to a master. Finally, “extol” likewise means “to praise with enthusiasm.” In comparison with all of these, “praise” is a rather weak work.

All of these options can pertain to disapproval of something or at least some aspect of something. While the four incorrect answers all have different aspects of critiquing, the general sense is this somewhat general notion of having some negative judgment regarding the thing being disapproved, objected to, criticized and so forth. Note however that “condemn” implies an unqualified, strong critique, thus surpassing the general notion shared by the other options. It thus is the word that least fits among the options provided.

Note that all of the incorrect answers share in the fact that they describe the action of coming to a halt or stopping some process. In contrast to these, “decelerate” merely means “to slow down.” The word is the opposite of “accelerate,” which means “to increase one’s speed.” Note that both words share the base “-celer-.” This base comes from the Latin word for “fast or quick.” “Celerity” is a word meaning “swiftness.” The word “accelerate” means “to go toward swiftness” (the “ac-” is a form of the “ad-” found in “advance”). Likewise, “decelerate” means “to go away from swiftness” (the “de-” prefix means “down from” or at times “away from”).