Which of the following best defines 'minimise'?

• A. to make something smaller
• B. to reduce as much as possible in amount or degree
• C. to make something seem less important
• D. to increase

Answer: (B)

The main idea being tested is the amount or degree of reduction implied by minimise. Minimise means to reduce something to the smallest possible level or amount, emphasizing the greatest possible decrease. This is about achieving the lowest feasible level, not just any decrease.

So, you’d minimise costs by cutting expenses as much as possible, or minimise risk by keeping it to the absolute minimum. That focus on the extent of reduction sets it apart from simply making something smaller, which could be any amount of decrease, or from downplaying importance, which changes how something is perceived rather than how much it is reduced. Increasing is the opposite of minimising.