In this synonym question, select the option that is closest in meaning to the word "splinter" used as a noun for a small, sharp piece broken off from a larger object.

Introduction / Context:
This vocabulary question asks you to select the nearest synonym of the word "splinter". The word is being used as a noun, referring to a small thin piece that has broken away from wood, glass, or some other hard material. Such questions test your ability to distinguish between very similar sounding words and to focus on exact meanings in context, which is essential for reading comprehension and precise usage in exams.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Target word: "splinter".
• Options: stub, share, chip, friction.
• We assume the sense is: a small sharp fragment broken off from a larger piece of material such as wood or glass.
• We want a word that can usually appear in the same sentences as "splinter".

Concept / Approach:
A "splinter" is a small, thin, often sharp piece that has been broken off from something larger. The closest everyday word that matches this idea is "chip" as in "a chip of wood" or "a chip of glass". Both "splinter" and "chip" can refer to small pieces that break off due to impact, cutting, or wear. The other options either refer to something quite different or simply do not fit the physical meaning at all.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall the typical usage of "splinter": a wooden splinter in the finger, a splinter of glass in the skin. Step 2: Compare with "chip". We often say "a wood chip" or "a chip of glass", which describes the same kind of broken piece. Step 3: Consider "stub". This usually means the short remnant of something that has been cut off, such as a "cigarette stub" or "ticket stub", not a thin sharp fragment. Step 4: Consider "share". This refers to a portion or part of something in terms of quantity or ownership, not a broken physical fragment. Step 5: Consider "friction". This refers to resistance when two surfaces rub together, a completely different concept from a small broken piece.

Verification / Alternative check:
Try substituting each option into example sentences. In "He got a splinter in his finger", "He got a chip in his finger" still gives a similar image of a small sharp fragment, even though "splinter" is more idiomatic. However, "He got a stub in his finger" or "He got a share in his finger" makes no sense. "He got a friction in his finger" is completely wrong. This substitution test confirms that "chip" is the only realistic synonym here.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
"Stub" is the short, usually blunt remainder of something, not a thin sharp fragment broken off.

"Share" is an abstract part or proportion and has no connection with broken pieces.

"Friction" describes a physical force and cannot stand as a synonym of a small piece of material.

Common Pitfalls:
Examinees sometimes think about any word that suggests "part of a whole" and then mistakenly choose something like "share". However, exam synonyms are usually about matching the specific sense, not just a broad idea. In questions involving physical objects, visualising an example is helpful. When you imagine a splinter of wood lodged in a finger, a "chip of wood" fits very well, but "share" and "friction" do not even come close.

Final Answer:
The closest synonym of "splinter" in this context is "chip".