In the following vocabulary question, choose the word which best expresses the meaning of the given word ADAPT in standard English usage.

Introduction / Context:
This vocabulary question asks for a synonym of the verb adapt. Questions of this kind appear frequently in competitive examinations to test how well a learner understands common English verbs and their shades of meaning. To choose the best answer, it is important to focus on the core sense of adapt as it is used in everyday life and in reading passages.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Target word: ADAPT.• Options: BRING UP, ADJUST, ENCOURAGE, SERVE.• The question asks for the word that best expresses the meaning.• We assume general English usage, not a very technical or specialised context.

Concept / Approach:
The verb adapt usually means to change something or to change oneself so that it works better in a particular situation or environment. A closely related idea is to adjust, which also suggests making suitable changes to fit new conditions. Bring up refers to raising a child or introducing a topic. Encourage means to give someone support or confidence. Serve relates to providing a service or performing duties. Only adjust expresses the idea of fitting or modifying in the way adapt does.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall typical sentences with adapt, such as Adapt to a new climate or Adapt the machine for another use.Step 2: Identify the common idea in these sentences making suitable changes to fit new circumstances.Step 3: Look at adjust, which is used in phrases like Adjust the settings or Adjust to a new school, both of which express very similar ideas.Step 4: Examine bring up. This is used for raising children or starting a discussion and does not involve modification to fit conditions.Step 5: Check encourage. It relates to supporting or giving confidence, not to changing shape or behaviour to fit something.Step 6: Consider serve, which is about performing duties or being useful, again not about modifying or fitting.

Verification / Alternative check:
Try substituting each option into a typical sentence. In the sentence We must adapt our plan to the new rules, using adjust gives We must adjust our plan to the new rules, which still makes perfect sense. However, We must bring up our plan to the new rules or We must encourage our plan to the new rules are clearly wrong. We must serve our plan to the new rules also sounds meaningless. This confirms that only adjust preserves the meaning and the grammatical pattern.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
BRING UP most often means to raise children or to mention something for discussion, and does not involve changing form or behaviour. ENCOURAGE refers to motivating someone or giving moral support, which is a different type of action. SERVE is about providing a service, working for someone, or being suitable for a purpose. None of these words can replace adapt in sentences involving modification or adjustment to a new situation.

Common Pitfalls:
Some examinees may think of serve because it appears in phrases like serve a purpose and can be used where something is suitable. However, adapt is about changing to become suitable, while serve does not carry the idea of change. Others may be distracted by familiar phrasal verbs like bring up. Concentrating on basic example sentences and checking if the replacement works in them is a reliable way to avoid such errors.

Final Answer:
The word that best expresses the meaning of ADAPT is ADJUST.