Which definition best describes the word retain?

• A. restore
• B. restrain
• C. retain
• D. revenue

Answer: (C)

The main idea tested is understanding retain as a verb meaning to keep or hold onto something. Retain means to keep possession of something, to preserve it, or to continue to have it rather than let it go. For example, you might say a company wants to retain its customers, meaning it hopes to keep them from moving to competitors. It can also mean to remember or keep in memory, as in retaining information after studying.

The other options describe different ideas: restore means to return something to its original state, restrain means to hold back or limit, and revenue refers to income earned. Those meanings don’t fit the sense of keeping or preserving, which is why retain is the best match.