In the sentence as well a touching inducement to marry again from the war passage, the word inducement most nearly means what?

Introduction / Context:
This vocabulary question asks you to determine the meaning of inducement from its context in the war passage. The country gives Patience a widow's pension and a touching inducement to marry again, so we must understand what the second gift is intended to do.

Given Data / Assumptions:
• Patience has lost her husband, Tony Vassall, in the war.
• The country provides her with a widow's pension to support her financially.
• Additionally, it offers a touching inducement to marry again.
• The inducement is something that is supposed to move or persuade her to take a new step in life.

Concept / Approach:
Inducement means something that motivates, persuades or encourages a person to do something. In this context, it refers to some benefit or gesture designed to make Patience consider remarriage after her loss.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recognise that inducement is connected to the phrase to marry again. Step 2: Understand that the government wants to influence her decision in favour of remarrying. Step 3: Recall that inducement usually refers to a reward or incentive offered to encourage action. Step 4: Compare this meaning with the options provided. Step 5: Select encouragement, which best matches the idea of incentive or motivation.

Verification / Alternative check:
Substitute encouragement into the sentence: a touching encouragement to marry again. This fits naturally and maintains the emotional tone implied by touching.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Agreement: This would refer to a mutual decision or contract, which does not match the idea of persuading someone to act.
Invocation: This means a prayer or calling upon a higher power, which is unrelated to the context.
Reminder: A reminder simply brings something to mind; it does not necessarily persuade or motivate action.

Common Pitfalls:
Some students confuse inducement with agreement because both can appear in legal or formal contexts. However, the emotional word touching and the purpose of getting Patience to remarry clearly indicate encouragement rather than formal agreement.

Final Answer:
The correct answer is encouragement, because inducement here refers to an incentive or motivation given to Patience to persuade her to marry again.