In the following question, select the one word that best substitutes the given phrase: “A slight fault that can be forgiven.”

Introduction / Context:
This one word substitution question asks you to identify the correct term for “a slight fault that can be forgiven.” Many English words classify wrong acts as serious or minor. Knowing such distinctions is useful in moral, legal and religious discussions. The correct word here labels a minor offence that is not considered very serious and is therefore easily excused.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The phrase describes a small, pardonable fault or sin.
• Venial means not serious and therefore forgivable, often used in the context of minor sins.
• Bovial, Areial and Xenial are not established standard English words used for this sense in common vocabulary questions and appear as distractors.
• The answer must clearly classify the fault as slight and forgivable rather than grave.

Concept / Approach:
In many religious and ethical traditions, faults are divided into serious (often called mortal) and minor (often called venial). The word Venial specifically refers to offences that are slight and pardonable. The other options may resemble real words but do not carry this meaning. In such questions, it helps to recall standard pairs like venial sin and mortal sin to trigger the correct choice.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Focus on the phrase “slight fault that can be forgiven,” which clearly refers to a fault of low seriousness. Step 2: Consider Venial. This adjective is defined as denoting a sin or offence that is slight and therefore forgivable. It exactly matches the phrase given. Step 3: Check the other options. Bovial, Areial and Xenial do not have accepted definitions in mainstream English that match the idea of a minor and forgivable fault. They function as distractors. Step 4: Because Venial alone carries the correct semantic content, it must be selected.

Verification / Alternative check:
Test the word in context: “It was only a venial error and the teacher quickly forgave it.” This sentence clearly conveys that the error was minor and pardonable. Replacing Venial with any of the fabricated distractors would either be meaningless or misunderstood. Dictionary entries also explicitly define Venial as a term for slight, pardonable faults or sins, confirming the match.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
The other options have no recognised meaning that fits the phrase in the context of standard English vocabulary tested in exams. They are designed only to look similar in form. Choosing them would result in sentences that native speakers would not understand. Since the question asks for the best substitute that captures both “slight” and “forgivable,” Venial is the only appropriate choice.

Common Pitfalls:
Because the other options look unfamiliar, some students may hesitate to pick Venial, assuming that the exam must test a more obscure word. However, in recognised exam syllabi, Venial is exactly the classic word paired with mortal in the common phrase venial sin. It is important to trust well known vocabulary pairings instead of overthinking and suspecting trick options.

Final Answer:
The correct one word substitute for “a slight fault that can be forgiven” is Venial, so the correct answer is option Venial.