UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT) Practice Test

What term denotes hindering or making progress difficult?

1. Impair

2. Obstruct

3. Impede

4. Interrupt

The correct answer is: Impede

The term that specifically denotes hindering or making progress difficult is "impede." This word captures the essence of creating obstacles that slow down or obstruct advancement in a clear and focused manner. For instance, when one talks about impeding progress, it suggests that there is a deliberate or inherent factor in place that disrupts the pathway to achieving a goal or completing a task. While "obstruct" also implies blocking or making progress difficult, it is often associated with more physical barriers rather than general progress in various contexts. "Interrupt" refers more to breaking the continuity of an action or event, which doesn’t necessarily relate to hindering overall progress. Similarly, "impair" refers to weakening or damaging something, often in a way that affects its function or effectiveness, but it does not directly imply hindrance in the context of progress as strongly as "impede" does.