Introduction / Context:
“Inebriated” is a formal or clinical-sounding synonym for being under the influence of alcohol. Traffic safety laws and medical notes often use this term. The sentence links the driver’s state to loss of control of the vehicle, which is consistent with alcohol intoxication.
Given Data / Assumptions:
- Target adjective: inebriated.
- Context: inability to control a car.
- We must pick the closest single-word match.
Concept / Approach:
“Intoxicated” is the precise synonym. “Befuddled” means confused or muddled but does not specifically denote alcohol consumption. “Tired,” “inexperienced,” and “distracted” describe other impairments but not alcohol-induced impairment. The medical/legal register favors “intoxicated” as the exact equivalent of “inebriated.”
Step-by-Step Solution:
1) Define inebriated: affected by alcohol; drunk.2) Match with domain-accurate synonym: intoxicated.3) Rule out generic cognitive states (befuddled) and unrelated impairments (tired, inexperienced, distracted).4) Confirm sentence fit with road-safety context.5) Ensure exactly one clear correct answer remains.
Verification / Alternative check:
Substitute: “As the driver was intoxicated, he could not control the car.” The legal sense and causality remain exact.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
inexperienced: Lack of practice; not a chemical state.tired: Fatigue; different cause.befuddled: Nonspecific confusion; not inherently alcohol-related.distracted: Attention diverted; again a different mechanism.
Common Pitfalls:
Choosing a general impairment word. “Inebriated” is specifically about alcohol; “intoxicated” mirrors that specificity.
Final Answer:
intoxicated
Discussion & Comments