Select the most appropriate homophone to fill in the blank.
The doctors gave him more powerful drugs in the ________ hope that he might recover.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
Explanation
The correct answer is option 4 i.e. vain.
The phrase "in vain" means "without success or result".
The sentence suggests that the doctors tried stronger drugs, but there was little to no hope of recovery.
This aligns with the meaning of "vain".
Meaning of the other option:
When: A conjunction used for time reference.
Vein: Refers to blood vessels or a particular style/quality.
Wane: Means to decrease or fade.
Hence, the chosen option is correct.