Select the correctly spelled English word from the following options.

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: pyroxene

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
This spelling recognition question asks you to identify which of the given options is correctly spelled in standard English. Three of the options are misspelled versions of known words; one is a correctly spelled scientific term. Even if you are not a geology expert, you can still eliminate the clearly incorrect forms by using your general spelling knowledge and pattern recognition.


Given Data / Assumptions:
The options are:

  • bloting
  • terrazo
  • gulible
  • pyroxene
Exactly one is correctly spelled.


Concept / Approach:
The words resemble:

  • "bloting" → likely intended to mimic "blotting".
  • "terrazo" → likely a misspelling of "terrazzo", a flooring material.
  • "gulible" → clearly a distorted form of "gullible".
  • "pyroxene" → a mineral name commonly used in geology.
In exam spelling questions, unfamiliar technical terms are often spelled correctly while common words are quietly altered by dropping or adding letters.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Evaluate "bloting": The correct spelling for the process of absorbing ink or liquid is "blotting", with double "t". Therefore, "bloting" is wrong. Step 2: Examine "terrazo": Standard flooring made from chips of marble set in cement is called "terrazzo", with double "r" and double "z". So "terrazo" is misspelled. Step 3: Check "gulible": The adjective meaning easily fooled is "gullible", with double "l" and an extra "l" after "gu". Thus, "gulible" is incorrect. Step 4: Look at "pyroxene": This is the standard spelling of a group of important rock forming silicate minerals, frequently mentioned in geology. Step 5: Conclude that "pyroxene" is the only correctly spelled word among the four.


Verification / Alternative check:
Even if you are not familiar with "pyroxene", you can still reason as follows:

  • Write the expected forms: "blotting", "terrazzo", "gullible".
  • Compare them with the options: each of the first three options is missing at least one letter or doubles the wrong consonants.
  • "Pyroxene" does not clearly conflict with any known common spelling and matches dictionary forms for mineral names.
Because all likely everyday words are clearly misspelled, the scientific term must be the correct answer.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:

  • bloting: Missing one "t"; correct form is "blotting".
  • terrazo: Should be "terrazzo" with double "r" and double "z".
  • gulible: Incorrect; the correct spelling is "gullible".


Common Pitfalls:
Candidates sometimes mistrust technical or unusual looking words and assume that they must be the trick options. However, exam setters regularly alter common words (by deleting letters or doubling consonants) while leaving genuine technical terms untouched. A reliable strategy is to first correct the spellings of familiar words in your head; if all of them turn out to be wrong, the unfamiliar one is usually the correct answer.


Final Answer:
The correctly spelled word is pyroxene.

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