Question

Based on the context of the sentence, what is most likely the meaning of the underlined word?do you find you are able to conflate your role as a mother with your job as senator, or must you keep them totally separate?

a.absorb
b.command
c.identify
d.combine

Answer 1

Based on the context of the sentence, the meaning of the underlined word is combine.

Answer 2

(Assuming that the underlined word is conflate), the correct answer is d.combine.

In the given sentence, a woman is both a senator and a mother, and she is asked by someone if both these roles and responsibilities as a mother and senator ever overlap or combine, or whether she keeps both those aspects of her life separate. Another sentence which uses the word "conflate" meaningfully is: "Her analysis conflates various theoretical perspectives."