In the following spelling question, four variants of the same word are given. Choose the correctly spelt word that refers to something relating to the Pope or high church authority.

Introduction / Context:
This spelling question presents four similar looking words, only one of which is correctly spelt. The intended word is a formal adjective used in religious and historical contexts to describe things related to the Pope or other high ranking church officials. You must identify the standard spelling used in dictionaries and formal writing.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The intended word is pronounced approximately "pon tih fi cal."
• Only one option follows the accepted spelling pattern.
• The correct form is used in phrases like "pontifical robes" or "pontifical authority."

Concept / Approach:
The correct spelling is "Pontifical." The key features are:

• "Ponti" at the beginning, indicating connection to "pontiff,"
• "fical" at the end, forming the adjective suffix "-ical."

The distractors change either the number of letters f, the vowels, or the final consonant, making them incorrect. Spelling questions like this test whether you can visually recognise the familiar dictionary form among close lookalikes.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the base noun is "pontiff" and the related adjective is "pontifical." Step 2: Scan each option to see which one matches the expected pattern "Pontifical." Step 3: Notice that option A exactly matches the standard spelling. Step 4: Observe that the other options insert extra letters or change vowels and consonants, making them non standard. Step 5: Select option A as the correctly spelt word.

Verification / Alternative check:
Think of typical usage: "The ceremony was conducted in full pontifical splendor." If you replaced "pontifical" with any of the altered spellings, they would look wrong in a serious text. The dictionary form always has a single f in this adjective and ends with "ical," not "ecal" or "icol." This confirms that "Pontifical" is the correct spelling.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Pontiffical: Doubles the f in the middle, but the accepted adjective form drops the extra f and is spelt "pontifical."
• Pontifecal: Uses "eca" instead of "ica," which breaks the usual "-ical" adjective ending.
• Pontificol: Replaces the final "a" with "o," creating a non standard and unrecognised variant.

Common Pitfalls:
Learners often assume that because the noun "pontiff" has two f letters, the adjective must also keep both. In fact, English derivatives sometimes simplify consonant clusters when adding suffixes. Developing an eye for common adjective endings like "-ical," "-ous," and "-able" can make spelling questions easier and help you quickly eliminate impossible combinations.

Final Answer:
The correctly spelt word is Pontifical.