In the following English vocabulary question, choose the option that best expresses the meaning of the given word. Embargo most nearly means which of the following?

Introduction / Context:
This question asks for the meaning of the word embargo. Embargo is widely used in news, economics, and international relations to describe restrictions placed on trade, communication, or movement by governments or authorities. The task is to select the option that best captures this idea.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The target word is embargo.
• In common usage, an embargo is an official ban, often on trade with a particular country.
• The options include ideas related to barriers, prescription, comfort, and justification.
• We assume the exam is testing the basic political and economic meaning.
• There is no sentence provided, so we rely on standard dictionary knowledge.

Concept / Approach:
An embargo represents a type of barrier, often legal or political, that prevents certain activities, especially import or export of goods. It is not simply advice or recommendation and does not mean comfort or moral justification. Thus, the correct answer must be the one that refers to a ban or restriction that acts like a barrier.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall common phrases like trade embargo or arms embargo, which show that it is a prohibition on trade or movement of goods. Step 2: Identify the option that refers to a barrier or official ban. Step 3: Compare this with other options, which talk about prescribing, comforting, or justifying. Step 4: Recognise that only a barrier type definition matches the usage in economics and politics. Step 5: Choose that option as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, imagine a headline such as Government imposes an embargo on oil imports. Replacing embargo with barrier or official ban makes sense in this sentence, but replacing it with comfort or prescribe does not. This quick substitution test is a good way to verify synonym choices.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Option B, to prescribe, means to recommend or lay down a rule, and although laws are related, the core meaning is not the same as a trade ban.
• Option C, comfort, relates to emotional or physical ease, which has nothing to do with banning trade.
• Option D, justify, refers to defending an action as right, which is a different concept entirely.

Common Pitfalls:
Some learners confuse embargo with words like prescribe or decree, because both can involve official decisions. However, embargo is specifically about prohibition and restriction, not general rule making. Keeping track of collocations such as trade embargo helps anchor the meaning in the correct field of usage.

Final Answer:
Embargo means an official ban or barrier that restricts trade, communication, or movement. Therefore, the correct option is A barrier or official ban that restricts trade or movement.