Select the meaning of the underlined word in the sentence.

It was important for the mailing label to adhere to the package; otherwise, the box might have been lost in 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.

The verb "assemble" means to bring together or gather in one place or group. It implies the act of collecting or uniting individuals or things in a coordinated manner. Therefore, "assemble" is the correct word that describes the action of gathering together. The options "appearance," "assembly," and "semblance" do not convey the same meaning as "to gather together."

The term "mélange" refers to a mixture or combination of different elements, in this case, different genres of music. It suggests that the person's music collection consists of a diverse blend or assortment of music styles ranging from punk rock to classic. The options "cacophony," "relevant," and "theoretical" do not accurately capture the idea of a diverse music collection with various genres.

To address a section of a fence that is falling apart, a homeowner would need to buttress it. "Buttress" means to reinforce or support something, often by adding additional structural support. In the context of the falling-apart fence, the homeowner would need to provide additional support or repair the section to prevent it from collapsing further. The options "flounder," "degrade," and "hinder" do not convey the appropriate action needed to address the situation with the fence.