Select the synonym of the word astonish.

Introduction / Context:
This question checks your vocabulary by asking for a synonym of astonish. Synonyms are words that have very similar meanings, and recognising them is important for reading comprehension, verbal ability, and precise expression.

Given Data / Assumptions:
Target word: astonish.
Options: mundane, bore, overwhelm, calm.
You must identify the word that most closely matches the meaning of astonish.
Assume a general context in which astonish means to surprise greatly or amaze.

Concept / Approach:
Astonish means to surprise someone very much, often in a way that leaves them amazed, impressed, or shocked. Among the given options, overwhelm can mean to affect someone very strongly, especially emotionally, or to overpower them with feelings or impressions. In many contexts, to overwhelm someone with wonder or surprise is close in sense to astonish. The other words either describe the opposite effect or are unrelated.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Understand astonish as to fill with great surprise or amazement. Step 2: Option A, mundane, means ordinary, dull, or uninteresting, which is almost the opposite of something astonishing. Step 3: Option B, bore, means to make someone feel uninterested or tired through dullness, again the opposite of astonishing them. Step 4: Option C, overwhelm, can mean to overpower with emotion, impression, or force. To be overwhelmed by something amazing is very close to being astonished by it. Step 5: Option D, calm, means peaceful, not excited or disturbed, which does not match the idea of astonishment. Step 6: Therefore, overwhelm is the best synonym among the given options.

Verification / Alternative check:
Try substituting each option into a sample sentence: The magic trick will astonish the children. The magic trick will overwhelm the children is acceptable and still conveys a strong emotional impact. However, the magic trick will mundane the children or the magic trick will calm the children do not make sense, while the magic trick will bore the children expresses an opposite idea. This confirms your choice.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Mundane describes something that is very ordinary and lacks excitement, which is not similar to astonishing.
Bore refers to making someone feel uninterested or tired, the reverse of capturing attention with surprise.
Calm refers to a peaceful state with little excitement or disturbance, again unlike the emotional impact of astonishment.

Common Pitfalls:
Some test takers expect an exact dictionary synonym like amaze or astound and may hesitate to choose overwhelm. It is important to remember that many exam questions offer near synonyms that match the emotional strength or effect of the target word even if their literal meanings differ slightly.

Final Answer:
The synonym of astonish is overwhelm (Option C).