Vocabulary – select the single best meaning/category: The words “arid”, “parched”, and “droughty” most nearly refer to what overall condition?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: Dry

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
This question checks core vocabulary and semantic grouping. The three adjectives “arid”, “parched”, and “droughty” all point toward a single underlying condition. Your task is to identify the one-word idea that unifies them, a common test of synonyms and verbal reasoning used in many competitive exams.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Arid describes a region or climate with very little moisture.
  • Parched means extremely dry, often due to heat and absence of water.
  • Droughty refers to conditions marked by drought and scarcity of rainfall.
  • We need a single word capturing the shared meaning.


Concept / Approach:
The approach is to abstract each word’s definition into its core semantic feature. Arid → lack of moisture; Parched → excessively dry; Droughty → subject to drought (prolonged dryness). The minimal common denominator is “dry.” Choosing a literal, general descriptor instead of a context (like “desert”) avoids over-specifying the setting and keeps the answer purely semantic, not geographic.


Step-by-Step Solution:

List meanings: arid = very dry; parched = extremely dry; droughty = experiencing drought.Find the common attribute: all signal dryness.Match to options: “Dry” is the exact unifying term.


Verification / Alternative check:


Why Other Options Are Wrong:

  • Draft: Unrelated; a current of air or preliminary version.
  • Earth: A noun for soil/planet; not a property of moisture.
  • Cow: A domestic animal; irrelevant.
  • Desert: A place that is often dry, but it is a setting, not the core property across all three adjectives.


Common Pitfalls:
Confusing context (desert) with property (dryness). The test wants the shared semantic core, not an example environment.


Final Answer:
Dry

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