In English vocabulary, select the option that gives the antonym (opposite in meaning) of the phrasal verb 'to hew' meaning to cut or shape with blows of a tool.

Introduction / Context:
This antonym question focuses on the verb 'to hew', which traditionally means to cut, chop, or shape something (such as wood or stone) with blows of a tool. In some contexts, 'hew to' can also mean 'adhere to' or 'conform to', but in vocabulary questions like this, the physical meaning of cutting is usually intended. You must therefore choose the verb that expresses an opposite idea, such as joining or sticking together, rather than cutting apart.

Given Data / Assumptions:

Target phrasal verb: 'to hew' (to cut or shape with blows).
Options: to prune, to chop, to agglutinate, to cleave.
We assume the primary meaning here is the physical act of cutting.
We must find a verb that conveys something opposite, like joining or clumping rather than cutting or splitting.

Concept / Approach:
'To hew' is close in meaning to 'to chop' or 'to cleave'; all three involve cutting or splitting. 'To prune' also involves cutting, specifically trimming or removing unwanted parts of plants or trees. 'To agglutinate', however, means to join, glue, or clump things together. In linguistics, 'agglutinative' languages stick word elements together; in biology, agglutination refers to cells clumping. Thus, 'to agglutinate' represents the opposite of hewing, which separates or cuts material apart rather than combining it.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall the meaning of 'hew': to chop, cut, or shape something like wood or stone with repeated blows. Step 2: Check 'to chop': this directly means to cut something into pieces; it is a synonym of 'to hew', not an antonym. Step 3: Check 'to cleave': in one common sense, 'cleave' means to split or sever, again very similar to hew. (It can also mean to stick to, but exams normally use the cutting meaning here.) Step 4: Check 'to prune': this is also a cutting action, used for trimming plants or trees by removing parts. Step 5: Check 'to agglutinate': this means to cause things to stick together, to form clumps, or to join elements into a mass. Step 6: Conclude that because hewing involves cutting apart and agglutinating involves sticking together, 'to agglutinate' is the best antonym.

Verification / Alternative check:
Consider simple visual images. When a carpenter hews a log, he is cutting bits off to shape it; when substances agglutinate, they clump together into a mass. The direction of action is opposite: one separates material, the other unites it. The other options (prune, chop, cleave) all involve removal or splitting and therefore reinforce the cutting idea rather than opposing it. In exam practice, such word sets are chosen carefully so that one verb clearly opposes the main action.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
'To prune' is to cut off unwanted parts, especially of plants, and so is another cutting verb, not an opposite. 'To chop' is nearly identical to 'to hew' in everyday usage, describing repeated cutting motions. 'To cleave', in the common sense used in vocabulary questions, means to split or divide something, again reinforcing the idea of separation. None of these options introduces the contrary notion of joining or clumping that would contrast with cutting.

Common Pitfalls:
Students may be misled by 'cleave' because in some idioms it can mean 'to cling to' or 'adhere to'. However, competitive exams typically expect the more common meaning of 'cleave' as 'to split or cut'. Another pitfall is thinking that a more familiar cutting verb like 'prune' must be the answer simply because it is less technical than 'agglutinate'. When tackling antonym questions, always ask yourself whether the option truly expresses the opposite concept, not just a different or milder form of the same action.

Final Answer:
The correct antonym of 'to hew' in this context is 'to agglutinate'.