Which meaning best matches anticipate when you mean to prepare for something before it happens?

• A. To look forward to something
• B. To prepare for something or deal with something before it happens
• C. To predict or foresee
• D. To ignore something

Answer: (B)

The idea being tested is how anticipate can mean acting in advance to get ready for what will happen. When you anticipate something in this sense, you think ahead and take steps now to prepare or deal with it before it occurs. That’s why the best match is the sense of preparing for something or dealing with it before it happens—for example, planning ahead, gathering supplies, or making arrangements in advance.

Look forward to describes a sense of eager expectation, not preparation. Predict or foresee is about guessing what will happen, which may or may not involve taking action to prepare. Ignore is simply the opposite of considering what might happen.