Directions: Identify the words that are similar in meaning to the phrase in bold. If none of the options conveys the correct meaning, mark (E) as your answer. The options do not necessarily need to be grammatically correct.

Q:

I hate to rain on your parade, but lots of people have tried that strategy and it hasn't worked yet.

• 1
  To get emotional
• 2
  To motivate someone
• 3
  To discourage someone
• 4
  To make a mistake
• 5
  None of the above