English Vocabulary — Choose the closest meaning (contextual synonym). Sentence: He has a propensity for getting into debt.

Introduction / Context:
Financial behavior and personality profiles often use the noun “propensity” to indicate a likelihood or inclination toward a behavior. Your task is to select the option that captures this idea of inclination without adding extra implications such as skill or moral value.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Key noun: propensity (followed by “for + gerund”).
• Behavior: getting into debt.
• We want a near-synonym that preserves the sense of inclination.

Concept / Approach:
“Propensity” = “natural tendency” or “inclination.” It does not imply competence (“aptitude”) nor a neutral attribute label (“characteristic” or “quality”) without directional tendency. Thus, “natural tendency” is the closest paraphrase in standard usage across psychology, economics, and risk analysis.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Paraphrase: “He has a natural tendency to get into debt.” This keeps the original meaning precisely and reads idiomatically in financial counseling contexts.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• aptitude: Suggests ability/skill, not inclination.
• characteristic: A trait label; lacks the directional sense of “tendency.”
• quality: Overly broad and vague; not equivalent.

Common Pitfalls:
Choosing “aptitude” because of frequent pairings with “for.” Remember: aptitude for math is skill; propensity for debt is inclination, not competence.

Final Answer:
natural tendency