Choose the best one-word substitution for the phrase: One who does not care for literature or art.

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: Philistine

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
This one-word substitution question asks you to identify a term for “One who does not care for literature or art”. Such questions often appear in English sections to test whether you know specific words used to describe attitudes toward culture and learning.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Phrase: “One who does not care for literature or art”.
  • Options: “Dictator”, “Hypocrite”, “Philistine”, “Primitive”.
  • Standard dictionary meanings apply to all four options.
  • Only one word is regularly used to describe a person indifferent or hostile to art and culture.


Concept / Approach:
We are looking for a word that describes a person who is indifferent to or even contemptuous of art, literature, and higher culture. In English, the established term for such a person is “philistine”. The other options describe different personality types or developmental stages and do not carry this specific meaning.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Understand the phrase: it describes a person who neither appreciates nor values literature, music, painting, or other forms of culture. Step 2: Recall that “philistine” is used for someone who is uncultured or indifferent to intellectual or artistic values, often focusing only on material or practical aspects of life. Step 3: Examine “Dictator”. This refers to an absolute ruler with total power, usually in a political sense; it does not specifically indicate an attitude toward art or literature. Step 4: Examine “Hypocrite”. This means a person who pretends to have beliefs or virtues that they do not actually possess. It focuses on insincerity, not cultural indifference. Step 5: Examine “Primitive”. This refers to something very simple or ancient, or a person belonging to an early stage of development; again, it is not about attitude toward the arts. Step 6: Therefore, “Philistine” is the only word that fits the description.


Verification / Alternative check:
Consider an example sentence: “He is such a philistine that he finds classical music boring and never reads novels.” Replacing the phrase “one who does not care for literature or art” with “philistine” makes the sentence concise and precise. Using “dictator”, “hypocrite” or “primitive” in the same sentence would change the meaning entirely and no longer accurately describe a lack of interest in culture.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Dictator: describes a political role and style of governance, not a cultural attitude. Hypocrite: focuses on false appearance of virtue or belief, not the rejection of culture. Primitive: relates to early or undeveloped stages, not specifically to caring or not caring about the arts.


Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes hesitate over “philistine” because the word also appears in historical or biblical contexts, but in modern English it has a very clear figurative meaning associated with cultural indifference. Remember it as a label for someone who cares only about practical or material things and dismisses art, literature and intellectual pursuits as unimportant.


Final Answer:
The correct one-word substitution for “One who does not care for literature or art” is Philistine.

More Questions from English

Discussion & Comments

No comments yet. Be the first to comment!
Join Discussion