Which description best matches the sense of 'evaluate' that involves careful analysis before deciding value?

• A. to judge
• B. to closely examine something before determining its value
• C. to estimate the cost
• D. to compare alternatives

Answer: (B)

Evaluate here means to assess something’s worth by weighing evidence and analyzing its features. The best description is the one that says you closely examine something before determining its value, because it captures the deliberate, analytic process involved in evaluating rather than just making a quick judgment or estimating cost. The other ideas—judging in a general sense, estimating cost, or simply comparing alternatives—do not specify the careful analysis tied to deciding value. In exams or real use, you’re often asked to evaluate the strength of an argument or the worth of a solution, which requires thorough analysis before drawing a conclusion.