VOCABULARY — Choose the best synonym (same meaning) of the highlighted word, based on the sentence. Sentence: “She BAFFLED all our attempts to find her.”

Introduction / Context:
The verb “baffled” here means that every effort made to locate her failed because she somehow prevented or frustrated those efforts. This question checks your sensitivity to fine shades of meaning among near-synonyms describing failure of plans or attempts.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The object is “our attempts to find her.”
• “Baffled” must relate to causing those attempts to fail or become ineffective.
• We want a synonym that works idiomatically with “attempts.”

Concept / Approach:
“Thwart” means to oppose successfully; to prevent from accomplishing a purpose. In the collocation “thwart attempts,” the fit is exact and idiomatic. “Foiled” is also close (prevented from succeeding), but “thwarted” is the most common partner with “attempts.” “Defeated” is broader and often applies to opponents rather than attempts. “Circumvented” means to find a way around rules or obstacles—not quite the same as making someone else’s attempts fail.

Step-by-Step Solution:
1) Determine the target construction: X baffled Y’s attempts → X prevented Y’s attempts.2) Check idiom frequency: “thwarted our attempts” is standard and precise.3) Assess alternates: “foiled” is close, but slightly less prototypical with “attempts.”4) Choose “thwarted” for best semantic and collocational match.

Verification / Alternative check:
Substitute directly: “She thwarted all our attempts to find her.” The sentence remains smooth and accurate in meaning, confirming correctness.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
A) “defeated” — too general; typically takes an animate opponent, not “attempts.”C) “foiled” — close synonym, but “thwarted” is the textbook collocation with “attempts.”D) “circumvented” — means worked around an obstacle; not the same as blocking someone else’s search.E) Not needed because B is exact.

Common Pitfalls:
Equating all “prevent” words. Pay attention to what is being prevented (an attempt vs a person) and to idiomatic pairings in formal English.

Final Answer:
thwarted