Question

At bedtime, the security blanket served the child as _________ with seemingly magical powers to ward off frightening phantasms.
a) An arsenal
b) An incentive
c) A talisman
d) A trademark
e) A harbinger

Answer 1

Hint: In the question, the blanket is being used as an indicator of a weapon saving the child, therefore, we need a word that indicates the same meaning/ function as a weapon.

Complete answer:
One must understand that the question has shown that the blanket is armour or an armoury (safety) for the child which helps him to ward off the evil powers or the frightening phantasms.
So now, we need the synonym that is similar in context to an armoury or weapon as the blanket is working as both for the child.
Now, let us look into the options and try to understand what they imply –
An arsenal – it is a noun used mainly to describe a collection or a place of weapons and military equipment.
An incentive – it is a noun used to describe a thing that motivates someone to do something or other.
A talisman – it is a noun used to describe some object that is believed to have magic powers to bring good luck.
A trademark – is a noun used to describe a symbol, word that is registered legally to represent a company or product.
A harbinger – is a noun used to describe a person or thing that is used to announce or signal the approach or another.
Here, the correct option would be an option (a) as it expresses that the blanket gave security to the kid as an arsenal would give to the military or armed forces.
We can also use ‘a talisman’ which offers him security because it brings about good luck for the person in possession of the talisman.

Note:
A question may have a different perspective or meaning. Therefore, do not rule out the option that two solutions (given in the above question) cannot be correct here.