Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: Glutton
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
One word substitutes are a common feature of vocabulary questions in English exams. They ask students to replace a phrase such as "a person who eats too much" with a single word. This tests both vocabulary knowledge and the ability to match definitions accurately. The word "glutton" is the traditional English term used for a person who habitually eats or drinks far more than is necessary, especially in a greedy way. This question checks whether the learner can identify that word among several similar sounding options.
Given Data / Assumptions:
- The phrase to be replaced is "a person who eats too much".
- The options given are "Glutton", "Gourmand", "Gannet", "Garald", and "Goblin".
- We assume the standard dictionary meaning of these words where they exist, and that the exam expects a common and widely recognised one word substitute.
Concept / Approach:
A "glutton" is defined as a person who eats or drinks excessively, often out of greed. The term is frequently used in moral or humorous contexts, such as in the phrase "glutton for punishment". A "gourmand" can also refer to someone who enjoys fine food, sometimes to excess, but the primary exam answer for someone who eats too much is usually "glutton". A "gannet" is a type of sea bird, "Garald" does not match any common English word, and "Goblin" refers to a mythical creature. The approach is to identify the term that most directly and clearly matches the idea of habitual overeating.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Focus on the key idea of the phrase: a person who eats too much, especially in a greedy or excessive way.
Step 2: Examine option A, "Glutton". Common definitions describe a glutton as someone who eats and drinks far more than is normal or healthy.
Step 3: Option B, "Gourmand", refers to someone who enjoys eating good food, often in large quantities, but many dictionaries present it with a more neutral or slightly positive tone compared to the strongly negative sense of "glutton".
Step 4: Option C, "Gannet", is the name of a sea bird and is not used as a direct one word substitute in standard exam contexts.
Step 5: Option D, "Garald", does not correspond to a recognised English noun with the required meaning.
Step 6: Option E, "Goblin", is a mythical mischievous creature from folk tales and does not relate to eating behaviour in a literal sense.
Step 7: Therefore, the word that directly and traditionally means a person who eats too much is "Glutton".
Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, consider a sentence like "He is such a glutton at festivals that he eats until he can hardly move." This shows that the word describes someone who eats in a way that is clearly excessive. Many exam preparation books list "glutton" under one word substitutes for a person who eats too much. In contrast, "gourmand" might be used in contexts of fine dining, and it may not always carry as strong a negative judgement. Therefore, standard question keys prefer "glutton" as the most accurate answer.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Gourmand: Although a gourmand enjoys eating, the term is often associated with appreciation of good food and does not always imply unacceptable excess in the way "glutton" does.
Gannet: Primarily the name of a sea bird, not a human one word substitute in formal vocabulary questions.
Garald: Not a standard English vocabulary item with the meaning required by the question.
Goblin: A fantasy creature in stories and fairy tales, not a word used for a person who eats too much.
Common Pitfalls:
Students may pick "gourmand" because it sounds sophisticated and they know it is food related. However, exam setters usually expect the more direct and familiar term "glutton". Another pitfall is guessing based only on sound, choosing a word like "gannet" or "goblin" without recalling their real meanings. To avoid these mistakes, it is best to remember standard lists of one word substitutes, where "glutton" reliably appears as the word for someone who eats too much.
Final Answer:
The one word used in English for a person who eats too much is glutton.
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