In this word analogy, “Vacant is to Empty as Dearth is to ______”. Choose the word that expresses the same synonym relationship for dearth that empty expresses for vacant.

Introduction / Context:
This question checks your understanding of synonym based analogies. In the pair “Vacant : Empty”, the two words have almost the same meaning. To complete the second pair, “Dearth : ?”, you must select a word that is a close synonym of dearth in the same way that empty is a synonym of vacant. Recognising such word relationships is essential for many verbal reasoning and competitive exams.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Known pair: Vacant → Empty, which expresses a synonym relationship. • Target pair: Dearth → ? • Options: descend, scarcity, squander, abundant. • We assume standard dictionary meanings: vacant means unoccupied, and dearth refers to a severe shortage or lack of something.

Concept / Approach:
First, identify the type of relationship in the example pair. Vacant and empty both describe a state where something contains nothing, for example a vacant room or an empty room. This is a clear synonym relationship. We must then look for a word that has a meaning very close to dearth. Dearth refers to insufficiency or scarcity of resources such as food, money, or opportunities. Therefore, the correct choice is the word that also means lack or shortage.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Clarify the meaning of the first pair. Vacant describes something that is not occupied, and empty has almost the same meaning. Step 2: Clarify the meaning of dearth. Dearth means a serious lack or shortage of something important, as in dearth of water or dearth of jobs. Step 3: Evaluate each option. Descend means to move downward, which is unrelated to lack. Scarcity means shortage or insufficient quantity, which closely matches dearth. Squander means to waste something, such as money or time, which is different from lack. Abundant means plentiful, which is the opposite of dearth. Step 4: Because scarcity is synonymous with dearth, it completes the analogy correctly as “Dearth : Scarcity”.

Verification / Alternative check:
You can substitute the words into simple sentences to confirm the parallel. The phrase “the room is vacant” can be changed to “the room is empty” without changing the basic meaning. In the same way, “there is a dearth of food” can be rewritten as “there is a scarcity of food”. Other options do not allow for such smooth substitution: “dearth of food” cannot be replaced with “descend of food” or “squander of food”. Abundant is actually the opposite of the intended meaning.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
• Descend focuses on movement downward and has nothing to do with shortage. • Squander refers to wasting resources rather than lacking them. • Abundant means plenty or a great amount, which is the direct opposite of dearth.

Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to choose a word that simply feels negative instead of confirming the exact meaning. Another pitfall is to confuse cause and effect, for example thinking that squandering might lead to dearth, but the analogy is asking for a direct synonym, not a possible cause. Focusing on precise dictionary meanings helps avoid these traps.

Final Answer:
The word that correctly completes the analogy is Scarcity.