Choose the one word that best substitutes the phrase "deserving reward or praise".

Introduction / Context:
One word substitution questions test whether you can replace a longer descriptive phrase with a single precise word. Here, the phrase is "deserving reward or praise". While several options have positive meanings, only one of them directly captures the idea of having earned praise or reward because of merit or good work. Your task is to recognise that precise word.

Given Data / Assumptions:
The options are:

• meritorious
• honourable
• virtuous
• noble

The phrase to be replaced is "deserving reward or praise".

Concept / Approach:
The key idea in the phrase is "deserving" in the sense of "having merit that earns recognition". The adjective "meritorious" comes directly from "merit" and is defined in dictionaries as "deserving praise, reward, or reward because of goodness or achievements". The other options describe good character or status but do not necessarily imply that a specific action has earned a reward.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Understand the central meaning: a person or action is "deserving reward or praise" because it has merit. Step 2: Examine "meritorious": it literally means "deserving reward or praise", especially for being good, useful, or done with great effort. Step 3: Check "honourable": this describes someone who has high moral principles and is worthy of respect, but it does not specifically refer to an action that deserves a reward. Step 4: Evaluate "virtuous": this means morally good or righteous, again emphasising moral quality rather than earned praise for a particular deed. Step 5: Consider "noble": it can refer to high social rank or an admirable character, but it does not naturally mean "deserving of reward" for a particular act. Step 6: Conclude that "meritorious" is the only word whose core definition directly equals "deserving reward or praise".

Verification / Alternative check:
Try substituting each option into a sample sentence: "His meritorious service was recognised with a medal" clearly expresses that his service deserved the reward. "His honourable service" is fine but focuses on integrity rather than the idea of earning a specific reward. "His virtuous service" sounds odd; we normally talk about a virtuous person, not virtuous service. "His noble service" emphasises dignity, not necessarily earned reward. This supports "meritorious" as the best match.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• honourable: Strongly positive but about moral uprightness and respectability, not specifically about earning a reward.
• virtuous: Emphasises moral goodness, usually in personal behaviour, not the notion of being deserving of a prize or formal recognition.
• noble: Relates either to aristocratic rank or to lofty ideals, not directly to merited reward.

Common Pitfalls:
The main trap is that all given words are positive, so some candidates pick any one randomly. In one word substitution questions, you must not only match general positivity but also match the exact nuance of the phrase. Remember that "meritorious" is commonly used in phrases like "meritorious performance", "meritorious service", and "meritorious students", all of which refer to people or acts that deserve recognition and reward.

Final Answer:
The correct one word substitute for "deserving reward or praise" is meritorious.