Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word(s) or phrase in italics. Thoug...

This question is asking you to choose the option that means the same thing as the word in italics, "serious". The sentence tells us that David's condition is serious but his life is not in immediate danger. This means that although David is sick, he is not in a life-threatening situation.

Option A, "grave", is the correct answer because it means very serious, just like "serious". Option B, "nasty", does not mean the same thing as "serious". Option C, "dangerous", is close in meaning to "serious" but it does not mean the same thing. Option D, "hypertensive", is not a synonym for "serious" and does not make sense in the context of the sentence.

It's important to understand synonyms in English language because they help us to express ourselves better. Synonyms are words that have similar meanings. For example, "happy" and "joyful" are synonyms because they both mean the same thing. When reading, it's also important to pay attention to context in order to understand what the writer or speaker is trying to convey.

To learn more about synonyms and context in English Language, please see the relevant sections of your recommended textbooks.