Final answer:
This statement is false. The assertion that 'childish', 'childlike', and 'youthful' share the same connotative meanings is false; they convey different nuances and attitudes. 'Childlike' and 'youthful' generally have positive connotations, unlike 'childish'. The word most similar to 'hypothesis' is 'suggestion'.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that the words childish, childlike, and youthful have the same connotative meanings is false. While 'childish' often has a negative connotation implying immaturity or lack of seriousness, 'childlike' typically has a more positive connotation referring to the qualities of a child such as innocence or wonder. 'Youthful' suggests having characteristics associated with young people, such as energy and freshness, and also carries a positive connotation.
Regarding the second question, the word that is closest in meaning to 'hypothesis' is 'suggestion'. A hypothesis is a proposed explanation made on the basis of limited evidence as a starting point for further investigation, aligning closely with the idea of a suggestion.