Select the correct definition of the underlined word.

While contemplating his present financial circumstances, he exasperatingly concluded, "Surely I am worth more than this!"

Hold fast or stick.

In this context, "adhere" means to stick or hold fast to something. The sentence suggests that it was important for the mailing label to securely stick to the package. By adhering to the package, the label ensures that the box doesn't become lost during transit.

Pondering.

In the given sentence, "exasperatingly" is used as an adverb to describe how the person concluded their contemplation of their financial circumstances. "Exasperatingly" means in an irritated or frustrated manner. It suggests that the person reached their conclusion while feeling exasperation or annoyance with their present financial situation.

Option D, "Pondering," is the correct answer as it aligns with the act of contemplating or thinking deeply about something, which is the main action described in the sentence.

In this context, "labile" refers to the patient's condition being unstable or prone to rapid and unpredictable changes.

The sentence suggests that the patient's health or medical status is fluctuating, and as a result, the nurses were instructed to closely monitor him. The word "labile" is often used in a medical context to describe a condition or state that is variable and can change quickly. Therefore, option B, "Rapidly changing," is the correct answer.

The term "ephemeral" means lasting for a short period of time or being transient in nature. In the given context, the vacationer felt that their trip to Hawaii was too short, indicating that it was brief and fleeting. Therefore, "ephemeral" accurately captures the sense of the trip being perceived as too short. The options "salacious," "ponderous," and "erudite" do not convey the meaning of brevity or a short duration.