Which word best replaces 'hasten' in the sentence 'They will hasten to finish the project'?

• A. Delay
• B. Postpone
• C. Hasten
• D. Hurry

Answer: (D)

Moving quickly to finish a task is the idea being tested. The best substitute is hurry because it directly conveys the act of speeding up and pushing toward completion, so “They will hurry to finish the project” matches the urgency implied by hasten. Delay or postpone would slow things down or push the deadline later, which changes the meaning. Replacing with hasten would keep the same word, which isn’t a replacement, and often sounds less natural in everyday usage. Using a straightforward synonym like hurry preserves the sense of urgent action toward finishing the project.