Choose the best one-word substitution for the phrase: Giving undue favours to one's own kith and kin.

Introduction / Context:
This one-word substitution question comes from general English vocabulary and often appears in current affairs discussions about politics and organisations. The phrase to be replaced is “Giving undue favours to one's own kith and kin”. You need to choose the single word that expresses this idea accurately.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Phrase: “Giving undue favours to one's own kith and kin”.
• Options: “Ableism”, “Iconoclast”, “Maiden”, “Nepotism”.
• We assume standard dictionary meanings of all four words.
• Only one option correctly refers to unfair favouritism towards relatives.

Concept / Approach:
The key idea is unfair advantages or special treatment granted to relatives, especially in jobs, positions of power, or distribution of benefits. The technical term for this is “nepotism”. The other options refer to completely different concepts—discrimination based on ability, a person who attacks established beliefs, and a woman's first time or state—so they can be eliminated by meaning.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Understand the phrase: “Giving undue favours” means granting benefits that are not deserved, primarily because of personal relationships. Step 2: “Kith and kin” is an idiom meaning friends and especially close relatives. Step 3: Recall that “nepotism” is defined as favouritism shown to relatives, especially by giving them jobs or advantages in public life or organisations. Step 4: Examine the options: “Ableism” means discrimination in favour of able-bodied people; “Iconoclast” is a person who attacks traditional beliefs or institutions; “Maiden” refers to an unmarried girl or the first attempt at something. Step 5: Only “Nepotism” fits the idea of unjust favours to one's relations.

Verification / Alternative check:
Consider a sentence: “The minister was criticised for appointing his relatives to key posts, an example of blatant nepotism.” If we replace the phrase “giving undue favours to one's own kith and kin” with “nepotism”, the meaning remains the same and the sentence becomes more concise. Trying to insert any other option would make the sentence nonsensical: “blatant ableism”, “iconoclast”, or “maiden” would not match the context of favouring relatives.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Ableism: prejudice in favour of able-bodied people and against people with disabilities; unrelated to familial favouritism. Iconoclast: a person who attacks or criticises cherished beliefs or institutions; describes a type of person, not a pattern of favouritism. Maiden: an unmarried girl or a first attempt (“maiden voyage”); has no connection to giving favours to relatives.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes mix up “nepotism” with “favouritism” in general. While favouritism can be toward anyone, nepotism specifically refers to relatives. Remember the root “nepos” from Latin, meaning nephew or grandson, which hints at family relationships. Recognising this root will help you retain the correct meaning for exam questions.

Final Answer:
The correct one-word substitution for “Giving undue favours to one's own kith and kin” is Nepotism.