One word substitution: “Extreme old age when a man behaves like a fool” is called ______.

Introduction / Context:
This is a one word substitution question, a favourite format in English vocabulary sections. The phrase given is “extreme old age when a man behaves like a fool”. The task is to choose a single English word that captures this full idea as closely as possible. Understanding subtle differences between near related terms like senility, dotage, and imbecility is essential here.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Phrase: Extreme old age when a person may behave foolishly or childishly. • Options: Superannuation, Imbecility, Senility, Dotage. • We assume standard dictionary meanings used in competitive exams.

Concept / Approach:
Dotage refers to the period of life in extreme old age when a person shows declining mental faculties, often becoming foolish, childish, or excessively fond. Senility also refers to the mental deterioration that comes with old age, but dotage especially captures the idea of foolish or childish behaviour associated with this stage. The phrase in the question emphasises both extreme old age and behaving like a fool, which strongly points towards dotage.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Consider superannuation. This term is commonly used for retirement from service, often on pension, and also for pension funds. It is about withdrawal from active work, not about foolish behaviour in old age. Step 2: Consider imbecility. This refers to extreme mental weakness or low intelligence, often from birth or not specifically connected with old age. It does not focus on the age factor. Step 3: Consider senility. Senility describes the deterioration of mental or physical strength due to old age. It captures the idea of aged mental decline but not always the associated foolish or doting behaviour. Step 4: Consider dotage. Dotage refers to the period of old age marked by mental decline and foolish, childlike behaviour, often with excessive fondness or weakness of mind. This matches the question's phrase exactly: extreme old age with foolish behaviour.

Verification / Alternative check:
If we try to substitute the options into the phrase, only dotage fits naturally. We can say “He is in his dotage” to mean he is in extreme old age and may be behaving foolishly. We cannot say “He is in his superannuation” in this sense. Senility is close but emphasises weakening of faculties rather than the mixture of old age and foolishness that the phrase highlights. Imbecility may not be tied to age at all. Therefore dotage is the precise exam level answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
• Superannuation: Focuses on retirement or pension, not on foolish behaviour or mental decline. • Imbecility: Describes a very low level of intelligence, not specifically extreme old age. • Senility: Refers to mental deterioration in old age but does not strongly convey the aspect of foolish, childish behaviour expressed in the question. Dotage is the more exact match.

Common Pitfalls:
Many learners quickly choose senility because they associate it with old age. However, one word substitution questions often require the most exact fit, not just a partial fit. The phrase includes both “extreme old age” and behaviour “like a fool”. Dotage, by meaning and traditional usage, captures exactly this combination. Remember to match all important parts of the description, not just one keyword.

Final Answer:
The correct one word substitute is Dotage.