In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the alternative which is the best one-word substitute for the given phrase. One who values practicality.

Introduction / Context:
This is another one-word substitution question. The phrase given is “One who values practicality.” In many fields, from business to politics, we distinguish between people who care about practical results and those who focus on theory or ideals. English has specific nouns to label such people. Your task is to choose the single word that most directly and accurately describes a person whose main concern is practical effectiveness rather than abstract theory or emotional ideals.

Given Data / Assumptions:

The descriptive phrase is “One who values practicality.”
The options are “apotheosis”, “pliable”, “pragmatist” and “realist”.
We assume the question is asking for the standard philosophical or everyday label for a practically minded person.
Only one option should fit the definition precisely in exam-standard usage.

Concept / Approach:
A “pragmatist” is a person who is guided mainly by practical considerations and outcomes. Pragmatism as a philosophy emphasises what works in practice as the main test of truth and value. A realist may also be practical, but the term “realist” focuses more on accepting reality as it is, without illusion, and does not specifically emphasise practicality in methods and decisions as strongly as “pragmatist”. Therefore, “pragmatist” is the best one-word substitute for someone who values practicality above theory or ideals. The remaining options do not fit this description at all.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Translate the phrase: “one who values practicality” means someone who prefers practical results and workable solutions over theory. Step 2: Recall that “pragmatist” comes from “pragmatic”, meaning practical, matter-of-fact. Step 3: Check “apotheosis”: this means the highest point of something or the elevation of someone to divine status; it is unrelated to practical thinking. Step 4: Check “pliable”: this means easily bent or influenced; it describes flexibility, not valuing practicality. Step 5: Check “realist”: although realists see things as they are, the question specifically highlights practical value, which “pragmatist” expresses more directly and strongly. Step 6: Conclude that “pragmatist” is the most accurate one-word substitute.

Verification / Alternative check:
Look at example sentences. We say, “As a pragmatist, she is more interested in what actually works than in what sounds good in theory.” This matches the phrase “values practicality” almost word for word. In contrast, “As a realist, she accepts that resources are limited” focuses on acceptance of reality rather than on practical methods. The exam phrase points clearly to valuing practical usefulness, which is the central idea of “pragmatist”. Therefore, “pragmatist” is a better and more precise answer than “realist”.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Apotheosis: Means the highest point of something or making someone into a godlike figure; it is not about practical thinking at all.
Pliable: Means easily bent, shaped or influenced; this refers to flexibility or susceptibility, not to valuing practicality.
Realist: Although a realist can be practical, the term emphasises acceptance of reality, not specifically the prioritisation of practical working solutions. “Pragmatist” is the textbook label that directly encodes the idea of practicality.

Common Pitfalls:
Many candidates are tempted by “realist” because in everyday conversation we often equate realism with practicality. However, in one-word substitution questions, examiners usually expect the more technically precise word. “Pragmatist” is the standard term for someone whose guiding principle is “Does it work in practice?”. To avoid confusion, remember: “pragmatist = practical first”, “realist = sees reality clearly”. This subtle distinction can be the difference between a correct and an incorrect answer in vocabulary-based questions.

Final Answer:
Correct answer: pragmatist.