Question

abraham lincoln
1 fellow - countrymen: at this second appearing to take the oath of the presidential office, there is less occasion for an extended address than there was at the first. then a statement, somewhat in detail, of a course to be pursued, seemed fitting and proper. now, at the expiration of four years, during which public declarations have been constantly called forth on every point and phase of the great contest which still absorbs the attention and engrosses the energies of the nation, little that is new could be presented. the progress of our arms, upon which all else chiefly depends, is as well known to the public as to myself, and it is, i trust, reasonably satisfactory and encouraging to all. with high hope for the future, no prediction in regard to it is ventured.
2 on the occasion corresponding to this four years ago, all thoughts were anxiously directed to an impending civil war. all dreaded it - all sought to avert it. while the inaugural address was being delivered from this place, devoted altogether to saving the union without war, insurgent agents were in the city seeking to destroy it without war - seeking to dissolve the union, and divide effects, by negotiation. both parties deprecated war, but one of them would make war rather than let the nation survive; and the
“on the occasion corresponding to this four years ago, all thoughts were anxiously directed to an impending civil war.” what is the meaning of the term impending as it is used in the second paragraph?
a dangerous
b distant
c remote
d stopping
e threatening

Explanation:

The word "impending" means something that is about to happen or approaching. In the context of the text referring to an "impending civil - war", it implies a threatening situation as a civil war is a dangerous and harmful event. "Dangerous" (Option A) best captures this sense of threat and imminence compared to the other options which do not convey the same sense of a looming and menacing event. "Distant" and "remote" suggest something far away in space or time, "stopping" is not related in meaning, and "threatening" is a verb form while we need an adjective like "dangerous" to match the context.

Answer:

A. dangerous