Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This analogy question asks us to identify a relationship between two words and find a pair that shares that same relationship.
Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:
Define the relationship in the stem pair: MISUNDERSTOOD: CLARIFY. To "clarify" something is the action one takes to correct something that has been "misunderstood." The relationship is "Y is the action taken to correct X," where X is a negative state or error.
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
Let's apply this "action to correct an error" relationship to the options:
- (A) To "espouse" a cause is to adopt or support it, often strongly. This does not correct being "fanatical."
- (B) To "renounce" something is to formally give it up. One might renounce something popular, but it's not an action to correct popularity.
- (C) To "shock" is a reaction to something "fantastic," not a correction of it.
- (D) "Erroneous" means incorrect or wrong. To "retract" a statement is to withdraw it because it was erroneous. This is a perfect match: retracting is the action taken to correct an erroneous statement.
- (E) To "flaunt" something is to display it ostentatiously, which makes it more "conspicuous," not less. This action intensifies the state, rather than correcting it.
Step 4: Final Answer:
The relationship of taking an action (retract) to correct a problem (erroneous) perfectly mirrors the relationship in the stem pair (clarify: misunderstood).