In the following English vocabulary question, choose the option that best expresses the meaning of the given word. Guzzle most nearly means to do what when consuming food or drink?

Introduction / Context:
This is a vocabulary question that asks for the meaning of the word guzzle. The word is often used in everyday English to describe the way someone consumes food or drink, especially drinks, in a greedy, noisy, or excessive manner. The task is to choose the option that best reflects this sense.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The word being tested is guzzle.
• Guzzle is commonly used in connection with drinking, for example guzzling soft drinks or guzzling petrol in the case of a vehicle.
• The options include words about sipping, drinking, starving, and releasing liquid.
• We assume that the exam is testing a common usage, not a rare technical meaning.
• The context is general English vocabulary for competitive exams.

Concept / Approach:
To find a synonym, think of the mental picture that the word creates. Guzzling suggests someone drinking very quickly, perhaps in a greedy or uncontrolled way, instead of politely taking small sips. It can also be used metaphorically for machines that use fuel quickly. Therefore, we should choose an option that indicates heavy or greedy drinking, not slow, delicate drinking or the act of pouring liquid away.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall or think of example sentences such as He guzzled three glasses of cola in one minute. Step 2: Notice the idea of speed and excess in such examples. Step 3: Compare this idea with each option. Sip suggests slow, careful drinking. Imbibe is a more formal word for drink, which can include the sense of taking in a lot. Step 4: Starve is unrelated to drinking and refers to lack of food or nutrition. Release means to let something flow out rather than to consume it. Step 5: Choose the synonym that best captures the idea of heavy or greedy drinking, which is imbibe in a strong sense.

Verification / Alternative check:
To double check, ask whether the sentence He sipped three glasses of cola quickly sounds natural as a description of guzzling. It does not, because sip implies small, delicate amounts. On the other hand, the idea that someone imbibed or drank large quantities quickly is closer to guzzling. Although imbibe can sometimes be neutral, in the context of a synonym choice it is the best available match to guzzle.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Option A, sip, is the opposite of guzzle in many situations. Sip implies slow, measured, and polite drinking.
• Option C, starve, belongs to a completely different semantic field and refers to suffering from lack of food, not consuming it.
• Option D, release, describes letting liquid flow out, possibly from a container, rather than consuming it.

Common Pitfalls:
Some learners may be tempted by sip because both words relate to drinking. However, they do not pay attention to the manner of drinking, which is central to the meaning of guzzle. Others might choose starve simply because it is a strong word, but strong emotional impact is not enough to make it a good synonym. Always think about the specific action and attitude implied by the word.

Final Answer:
Guzzle means to drink in a greedy or excessive way, often very quickly. Hence, the best synonym among the options is Imbibe or drink something greedily and in large quantities.