Final answer:
To preface a speech with an anecdote means to start with a story that captures the audience's attention before the main content. While 'initiated' is a synonym for starting, 'prefaced' is the most accurate choice that conveys starting with an introduction. The correct answer is (c) prefaced.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question is asking to choose the correct synonym for 'prefaced' as used in the sentence 'Usually, I begin my speech at once, but this time I prefaced it with an amusing anecdote.'
'Prefaced' means that the speaker provided an introduction or preparation before the main part of the speech. When you preface a speech with an anecdote, you start it by telling a brief story that is often interesting or humorous, which is designed to catch the audience's interest and prepare them for the main content of the speech. It's a common strategy used to engage the audience.
In this context, 'initiated' (a) means to begin or start, which can be synonymous with 'prefaced', although it lacks the nuance of an introductory element. 'Precluded' (b) means to prevent something from happening and is not appropriate in this context. 'Preceded' (d) means to come before something in time or order, which is a possible option, but it does not convey the sense of introduction that 'prefaced' carries. Therefore, the most accurate synonym for 'prefaced' in the given sentence is 'initiated' (a), which also hints at the beginning of the speech, even though it is not a perfect match in terms of the introductory intent of 'prefaced'.
After consideration, the correct answer is (c) prefaced, as it directly corresponds to the given sentence.