In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the word that is most similar in meaning to the given word. Fissure

Introduction / Context:
This vocabulary question asks you to find the synonym of the word "fissure". A fissure is usually understood as a long, narrow opening or crack, especially in rock or the earth. To answer correctly, you need to connect this meaning with the closest option and reject words that describe joining, mixing, or twisting together, which are the opposite of splitting or cracking.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Target word: "Fissure".
• Options: Agglutinate, Blend, Cleavage, Entwine.
• We assume standard dictionary meanings for all the words.
• "Fissure" commonly appears in geology, medicine, and general descriptions of cracks or splits.

Concept / Approach:
The noun "fissure" refers to a split, crack, or narrow opening. For example, "a fissure in the rock" or "a fissure in the earth's crust." It can also be used figuratively to describe divisions in society. The closest synonym among the options is "cleavage", which in one sense means a split or division. The other options all suggest some form of joining or intertwining, which is conceptually opposite to splitting apart.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall the meaning of "fissure": a narrow opening or crack resulting from some splitting or breaking process.Step 2: Examine "cleavage". Apart from its biological or anatomical meanings, it also means the act of splitting or a split itself, as in "cleavage planes in a mineral". This matches the idea of a fissure.Step 3: Examine "agglutinate". This verb means to stick together or cause to adhere, especially in a medical or linguistic sense. It is about joining, not splitting.Step 4: Examine "blend". This verb means to mix or combine things together so that they become one, again the opposite of creating a split.Step 5: Examine "entwine". This means to twist together or around, such as vines entwining around a tree. This also suggests joining, not cracking. Therefore, "cleavage" is the best synonym.

Verification / Alternative check:
Consider example sentences: "A deep fissure ran across the valley floor" can be rephrased as "A deep cleavage ran across the valley floor" in a poetic or geological context. Similarly, in geology, both "cleavage" and "fissures" describe structural features resulting from stress and splitting. In contrast, "agglutinate", "blend", and "entwine" would not make sense in such contexts because they refer to sticking or mixing things together, not to openings or cracks.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A, "Agglutinate", is used for particles or cells clumping together, as in blood cells agglutinating. It is about joining, not splitting. Option B, "Blend", is about mixing substances so thoroughly that they lose their separate identities, for example, blending colours or flavours. Option D, "Entwine", involves wrapping or twisting things together, again a joining action. None of these capture the idea of a crack or split. Only option C, "Cleavage", correctly reflects the concept of a fissure as a division or opening.

Common Pitfalls:
Some candidates may be distracted by the fact that "cleavage" is also used to describe the space between parts of the body, but they forget its more general meaning related to splitting. Others might not know "agglutinate" or "entwine" well and guess randomly. To avoid this, it helps to build a strong vocabulary base and to remember that many words have multiple senses; you must choose the one that best matches the context of the question.

Final Answer:
The word most similar in meaning to "fissure" is Cleavage.