OG Verbal SE Hard Q1

GRE Verbal Problem Solving
1

If researchers can determine exactly what is wrong with people who suffer from
this condition, they may be able to suggest drug therapies or other treatments that
could ___________ the effects of the damage.
A mitigate
B exacerbate
C specify
D identify
E ameliorate
F stabilize

I was confused bw A,E,F and ended up choosing A and F. I rejected E because I thought ameliorate meant to improve a bad feeling/ situation. OA is A and E, can someone please explain how is F wrong, how is E correct, and how A and E are the same?

2

Stabilize, in general, keeps the things the way they are,(unchanged)more likely it balances. On the contrary, ameliorate and mitigate improve the worst. That’s why both are equivalent to each other.