Vocabulary (Synonym) – Choose the word that most closely matches the highlighted term. Sentence: They were totally unaware of the “impending” disaster.

Introduction / Context:
“Impending” describes something that is about to happen soon. It emphasizes nearness in time, not necessarily the level of danger (although context may be dangerous). We must select the closest synonym based on temporal imminence.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Target word: impending.
• Context: a disaster approaching soon.
• Options mix time (imminent/possible) and quality (threatening/terrible).

Concept / Approach:
Match the time sense. “Imminent” directly means “about to happen,” which is the core meaning of “impending.” Other choices either describe danger level or mere possibility and do not encode immediacy as precisely.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Substitute: “unaware of the imminent disaster” is a common collocation in news writing, confirming equivalence.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• threatening: Focuses on menace, not immediacy.
• terrible: Describes severity, not time.
• possible: Lacks certainty and closeness.

Common Pitfalls:
Choosing a word that captures fear or severity but misses the crucial “soon” aspect. “Impending” is about timing first.

Final Answer:
imminent