Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: priestly
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
Spelling questions test basic but essential aspects of English usage. Many competitive examinations include at least a few items where you must identify the correctly spelt word among several similar looking options. These questions are not only about memorising spellings but also about recognising familiar word patterns. In this item, only one word follows the standard spelling accepted in dictionaries, while the others contain typical spelling mistakes in vowels or consonant combinations.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
The best approach is to recognise which of these options appears in real English texts. Three of the options are distorted forms of real words: "terrains", "ferreted", and "abrasion". The exam setter has altered letters to create plausible looking but incorrect versions. The fourth option, "priestly", is the standard adjective derived from "priest", describing something relating to priests or the priesthood. This word is often used in phrases like "priestly duties" or "priestly garments". Identifying the root words and their usual spellings helps you quickly eliminate incorrect ones.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Examine option A, "terains". It appears to be a misspelling of "terrains", which refers to land forms or types of ground. The correct form has a double r and often a double r plus a in the middle.
Step 2: Examine option B, "priestly". This clearly comes from the noun "priest". The accepted adjective is spelled p r i e s t l y, which matches exactly this option.
Step 3: Examine option C, "fereted". It seems to be a distorted version of "ferreted", the past tense of "ferret" in the sense of searching out hidden things. The correct past tense is spelled f e r r e t e d, with double r and t in standard English.
Step 4: Examine option D, "ablasion". This looks like a corrupted form of "abrasion", a word describing scraping or wearing away. The correct spelling uses r after b and s, and the vowel pattern is different.
Step 5: Since only option B matches a standard dictionary spelling without alterations, choose "priestly" as the correct answer.
Verification / Alternative check:
You can verify by recalling real phrases: "priestly life", "priestly duties", and "priestly vestments" are common. The other options do not appear in any standard collocations. A quick memory check of common English words confirms that "terrains", "ferreted", and "abrasion" are the genuine forms, not the altered versions shown. Therefore, the only option that needs no correction and is itself a real word is "priestly".
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A is wrong because "terains" lacks the correct double r pattern and the correct placement of vowels used in "terrains".
Option C is wrong because "fereted" removes necessary letters from "ferreted" and breaks the normal root plus ending pattern.
Option D is wrong because "ablasion" replaces the r after b with l and uses an incorrect vowel arrangement compared to "abrasion".
Common Pitfalls:
Many candidates rely only on how a word sounds and not on visual familiarity with the spelling. As a result, they may accept a distorted form if they have rarely seen the correct word in print. Another pitfall is confusion caused by double consonants, such as rr or tt, which exam setters often manipulate. The best way to build strength in such questions is to read widely and pay attention to the exact spelling of words in newspapers, books, and study material. Over time, the correct forms will look natural, and incorrect ones will stand out quickly.
Final Answer:
priestly
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