In the following single word substitution question, choose the word that means "to ask or beg for something earnestly or humbly".

Introduction / Context:
This question belongs to the category of single word substitution, where you are given a descriptive phrase and must choose the one word that expresses the same idea. The phrase here is "ask or beg for something earnestly or humbly". This meaning is common in religious texts, formal speeches and emotional appeals. Knowing the exact verb for this action helps you use more precise and sophisticated vocabulary in essays and comprehension tasks.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The descriptive phrase is "ask or beg for something earnestly or humbly".
• The options given are "Bequeath", "Bestow", "Accord", "Supplicate" and "Solicit".
• All options are verbs related to giving, asking or granting, which can cause confusion if their nuances are not known.
• We assume standard formal meanings as found in dictionaries.

Concept / Approach:
The keyword in the phrase is "beg", combined with the manner "earnestly or humbly". This suggests a form of prayerful, respectful or urgent request. The verb "supplicate" means to ask for something in this serious, humble way, often in prayer or petition. Other verbs in the list describe giving something, granting something or making a request in a more neutral style but do not capture the emotional weight of humble begging. Therefore, the task is to recall the exact meaning of each option and match it with the emotional tone of the phrase.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Focus on the key ideas "ask or beg" and the manner "earnestly or humbly". Step 2: Recall that "supplicate" means to make a humble and earnest entreaty or prayer. Step 3: Examine the other options and note that they generally involve giving instead of asking, or do not emphasise humility. Step 4: Conclude that "Supplicate" is the one word that accurately captures the full sense of the phrase.

Verification / Alternative check:
Use each word in an example sentence in your mind. "The villagers supplicated the authorities for clean drinking water" clearly shows humble pleading. If we use "bequeath", we get "The villagers bequeathed the authorities for water", which makes no sense, because "bequeath" means to leave property to someone by a will. "Bestow" and "accord" describe the act of giving honours, rights or gifts, usually by someone in authority, not the act of asking. "Solicit" means to request or seek, but it does not necessarily carry the strong sense of humility or earnest begging that the phrase highlights. This comparison confirms that "supplicate" is the best fit.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
"Bequeath" means to leave personal property to someone in a will, which is about transferring ownership after death, not asking for something. "Bestow" means to give or confer an honour, right or gift, often from a higher authority to a lower one. "Accord" can mean to grant or give formally, as in "accord permission". All these verbs focus on the giver, not on the one who begs. "Solicit" is closer in that it means to request, but it is commonly used in contexts such as "solicit donations" or "solicit clients" and does not strongly emphasise humble or earnest begging. Therefore, they do not match the full nuance of the given phrase.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes choose "solicit" because they recognise it as a formal word for "ask". However, they overlook the important emotional detail "earnestly or humbly". Another pitfall is to confuse words related to giving and asking, due to their use in similar contexts. To avoid such confusion, build a habit of learning words in small semantic groups and noting whether the subject is the giver or the requester. Also pay attention to any emotional colouring, such as humble, urgent or respectful, which plays a crucial role in single word substitution questions.

Final Answer:
The correct single word for "ask or beg for something earnestly or humbly" is Supplicate.