In this spelling question on English vocabulary, four alternatives are given; choose the word which is correctly spelt: the adjective “miscellaneous”.

Introduction / Context:
The word “miscellaneous” is frequently used in notices, bills and official documents to refer to items of various kinds. Because it is long and contains repeated consonants and vowels, it is a favourite in spelling questions. In this item you must identify the correctly spelt form among four similar-looking options. Mastering the spelling of such common but tricky words is essential for scoring well in English sections of competitive exams.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Four options are provided: miscellaneous, micellaneous, misellaneous, miscelaneous.
• Only one option is the standard correct spelling.
• The question tests pure spelling knowledge; meaning is straightforward.

Concept / Approach:
The correct spelling of the word is “miscellaneous”, with the pattern “mis + cell + aneous” or more precisely “miscell + aneous”. It contains a double “l” after “ce” and a double “a” sequence “aneous”. Many learners forget one of the repeated letters or rearrange vowels incorrectly. To solve such questions reliably, it helps to mentally break the word into chunks and recall any repeated consonants or vowels. We then examine each option to see which one exactly matches the known pattern.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall or note that “miscellaneous” is correctly spelt as m-i-s-c-e-l-l-a-n-e-o-u-s. Step 2: Look at option a) “miscellaneous”. It matches the correct sequence with “sce” followed by “ll” and then “aneous”. Step 3: Look at option b) “micellaneous”. Here the “s” after “mi” is missing, giving “micel–” instead of “miscel–”. This is clearly wrong. Step 4: Look at option c) “misellaneous”. This form drops the “c” after “mis”, becoming “misel–”, which again is incorrect. Step 5: Look at option d) “miscelaneous”. This spelling uses only one “l” instead of the correct double “ll” and also modifies the later vowel pattern. Step 6: Since option a) alone preserves all letters in their correct order, it is the right answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, consider where you may have seen the word: on receipts, in “miscellaneous expenses” headings, or in textbooks. In all these, the spelling “miscellaneous” is used consistently. You can also use a memory trick: think of “miscell” plus “aneous”, where “cell” reminds you of the double “l”. None of the other options fit these remembered patterns, so this confirms that option a) is correct.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
“Micellaneous” omits the “s”, which changes the basic “misc” root. “Misellaneous” omits the “c”, again breaking the root. “Miscelaneous” retains the “c” but drops one of the required “l” letters and mildly disturbs the ending pattern. Spelling questions in exams are usually designed around such small deletions or changes, and you must spot them calmly. Since exam setters expect the dictionary form, only “miscellaneous” is accepted as correct.

Common Pitfalls:
Candidates often skim the options quickly and choose a spelling that “looks right” without checking each letter. In long words with repeated letters, this leads to mistakes. To avoid this, train yourself to pause for a second, silently spell the word from memory, and then match it with the options. Marking the position of double consonants (such as “ll” in “miscellaneous”) in your memory list can significantly improve accuracy in spelling questions.

Final Answer:
The correctly spelt word is miscellaneous.