Define "difficult" and its synonyms, then choose the closest synonym.

Here are the solutions to the questions:

Question 7:
The word "difficult" means requiring much effort or skill to accomplish, deal with, or understand.

• (a) stiff: not easily bent or changed in shape.
• (b) troublesome: causing difficulty or annoyance.
• (c) hard: difficult to do or understand. This is a direct synonym.
• (d) impossible: not able to be done. "Difficult" does not necessarily mean "impossible."
• (e) unsafe: not safe.

The word nearest in meaning to "difficult" is "hard."
The final answer is $\boxed{\text{c}}$

Question 8:
The phrase "compassion on me" means sympathetic pity