Select the option that rectifies the underlined incorrectly spelt words in the…
2025
Select the option that rectifies the underlined incorrectly spelt words in the given paragraph.
The philosopher was known for his idiosyncraticc views, often bordering on the preposteruos. His recent treatise on metaphysics was met with vituperration by traditionalists. Yet, his language remained strikingly perspicous, even when grappling with dense abstractions.
Answer: B. idiosyncratic, preposterous, vituperation, perspicuous — A spelling-correction item asks whether each printed word matches its standard dictionary form. Three error patterns account for almost every distractor of…
- A.
idiosyncraticc, preposterous, vitupuration, perspicous
- B.
idiosyncratic, preposterous, vituperation, perspicuous
- C.
idiosyncratic, preposterous, vituperration, perspicacious
- D.
idiosyncratic, prepostorous, vituperation, perspicous
Attempted by 6 students.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
A spelling-correction item asks whether each printed word matches its standard dictionary form. Three error patterns account for almost every distractor of this kind: a consonant doubled where the standard form carries a single letter, a vowel transposed or dropped inside a syllable, and a similar-looking real word of a different meaning substituted for the intended one.
Applying that test to the four underlined words:
As printed | Standard form | What differs |
|---|---|---|
idiosyncraticc | idiosyncratic | The adjective formed from "idiosyncrasy" ends in a single "c"; the printed form doubles it to "cc". |
preposteruos | preposterous | The last two vowels are transposed; the standard syllables run pre-pos-ter-ous. |
vituperration | vituperation | The noun is built on the verb "vituperate", so a single "r" stands before "-ation". |
perspicous | perspicuous | The "u" before "-ous" is dropped; compare sinuous and strenuous. "Perspicuous" means "clearly expressed", which is the sense "his language remained strikingly ___" requires. |
Checking the remaining sets against those four standard forms:
idiosyncraticc, preposterous, vitupuration, perspicous keeps the doubled "cc" in the first word, spells the third word "vitupuration", and drops the "u" in the fourth.
idiosyncratic, preposterous, vituperration, perspicacious doubles the "r" in the third word and puts "perspicacious" in the fourth position; "perspicacious" means "having keen judgement", a quality of a person rather than of language that is clearly expressed.
idiosyncratic, prepostorous, vituperation, perspicous changes the third syllable of the second word to "-tor-" and drops the "u" in the fourth.
Only idiosyncratic, preposterous, vituperation, perspicuous carries the standard dictionary spelling of all four words together with the sense the sentence requires, so that is the set that rectifies the paragraph.