In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the one word which is the best substitute for the phrase “excessive desire to work, an abnormal compulsion to remain busy with work all the time”.

Introduction / Context:
This one word substitution question examines knowledge of English terms formed from Greek roots. Many words that describe obsessions or abnormal desires end with the suffix “mania”. The root before “mania” indicates the object of that obsession. Understanding these roots helps aspirants decode difficult vocabulary in reading comprehension, editorials, and advanced texts, even when the words look unfamiliar at first.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The phrase we need to replace is “excessive desire to work”.
• Each option ends with “mania”, indicating some form of obsession.
• We must match the correct root with the idea of work.
• We assume standard usage in psychological or descriptive vocabulary.

Concept / Approach:
The combining form “ergo” or “erg” comes from a Greek word meaning “work”. It appears in words like “ergonomics” (study of workplace efficiency) and “energy” (through related roots). Therefore, “Ergomania” literally means an obsession or excessive desire to work. The other options refer to very different things: “idolo” links to idols, “islo” is associated with islands, and “ethno” refers to race or people. None of those match the idea of work. By understanding the root meaning, we can easily pick the correct term even if we have not memorised it earlier.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
As a quick check, imagine a sentence: “His ergomania cost him his family life, because he spent every waking hour at the office.” The sentence clearly suggests a work related obsession. If we substituted “Ethnomania”, it would wrongly suggest an obsession with races or ethnic groups. Substituting “Idolomania” would refer to obsession with idols or celebrities, and “Islomania” would indicate an obsession with islands. None of these meanings correspond to working too much. This cross check confirms that “Ergomania” is the correct answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Option B: “Idolomania” would describe excessive love or worship of idols or famous personalities, not of work.
• Option C: “Islomania” relates to a strong fascination with islands, such as a desire to visit or live on them.
• Option D: “Ethnomania” would refer to an intense preoccupation with ethnicity or race, which is again unrelated to working behaviour.

Common Pitfalls:
Learners may get confused because all the options look similar and may feel pressured to guess. A common mistake is to ignore the root and choose randomly. Another mistake is to assume that any option will do because the endings match. In vocabulary that uses Greek and Latin components, the root carries the main meaning. Developing a habit of noticing roots like “bio”, “geo”, “psycho”, “ergo”, and “philo” can turn difficult questions into easier logic based ones. Even if a candidate has not seen “Ergomania” before, recognising “erg” as work allows a confident and correct answer.

Final Answer:
The one word substitute for “excessive desire to work” is “Ergomania”.