Select the one-word substitute that best expresses the phrase “Atonement for one's sins”.

Introduction / Context:
This question tests your knowledge of one-word substitutes, a favourite area in many English competitive exams. The phrase given is “atonement for one's sins”, and you must identify the single word that captures this meaning accurately. Such vocabulary is common in religious, moral and philosophical discussions.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The phrase is “atonement for one's sins”.
• Options are: Elite, Ignoramus, Incendiary, Repentance.
• Only one option correctly reflects the idea of being sorry and seeking forgiveness.
• We assume standard dictionary meanings for all options.

Concept / Approach:
“Atonement for one's sins” refers to the act of feeling genuine regret, seeking forgiveness and trying to make up for past wrongdoings. The word “repentance” expresses deep sorrow for one's sins and a desire to change. The other options have meanings related to social class, ignorance or causing fires or conflict, and are not connected to moral regret.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Focus on the core idea: feeling sorry for sins and seeking to make amends.Check “Elite”: refers to a select group of superior or privileged people; unrelated to the idea of atonement.Check “Ignoramus”: means a very ignorant person; again, unrelated to moral regret.Check “Incendiary”: something that causes fires or provokes conflict; not connected to atonement.Check “Repentance”: means deep sorrow and regret for one's sins, usually with a desire to change behaviour.Therefore, “Repentance” is the correct one-word substitute for atonement for one's sins.

Verification / Alternative check:
Consider a sentence: “He showed true atonement for his sins by helping those he had wronged.” Rewriting this with a one-word substitute gives: “He showed true repentance by helping those he had wronged.” The meaning is preserved and sounds natural in formal English usage.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
“Elite” describes social standing, not moral feeling. “Ignoramus” is an insult for someone who knows very little. “Incendiary” describes something that sets things on fire or incites violence. None of these words involve regret, guilt or moral change, so they do not match the idea of atonement.

Common Pitfalls:
Sometimes students focus on the emotional tone of a word rather than the exact meaning. Atonement is a specific religious and moral concept, not just any strong feeling. Learning common one-word substitutes such as repentance, remorse, and penance will help you answer such questions quickly and accurately.

Final Answer:
The correct one-word substitute for “Atonement for one's sins” is Repentance.