Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: Stickler
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
This question asks for a single word that describes a person who insists on something, usually in the sense of being very strict or particular about rules, details, or standards. English has a specific noun for such a person. This kind of vocabulary is often tested because it appears frequently in descriptions of personality and workplace behavior.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
The key word that matches this description is "stickler". A stickler is someone who is very insistent on something, especially correct behavior, accuracy, or proper procedure, as in the phrase "stickler for punctuality". The other options do not fit this definition. "Instantaneous" is an adjective that describes something happening immediately. "Boaster" is a person who brags about himself or herself. "Disciplinarian" is someone who enforces discipline, which is related but slightly different; the word does not necessarily carry the nuance of being particular about small details or rules in all contexts. "Stickler" is the most precise choice.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Focus on the key idea of repeatedly insisting on proper ways of doing things, especially details and rules.Step 2: Examine "Stickler". Dictionary entries define it as a person who thinks that something is very important and insists on it being done correctly.Step 3: Examine "Instantaneous". This is an adjective referring to speed, meaning immediate, and does not describe a person at all.Step 4: Examine "Boaster". A boaster is someone who brags about achievements, not someone who insists on rules or methods.Step 5: Examine "Disciplinarian". While it refers to a strict person, it usually emphasizes punishment and discipline in a formal setting, not the more general sense of insisting on particular details.Step 6: Compare all options and see that "Stickler" is the closest match to the given description.
Verification / Alternative check:
Common expressions illustrate proper usage. People often say "He is a stickler for detail" or "She is a stickler for grammar", meaning they insist on correct detail and do not tolerate errors. In contrast, you do not say "He is an instantaneous" or "She is a boaster for detail". You might say someone is a "strict disciplinarian", but this mainly emphasizes severity of discipline, not careful insistence on small rules in all situations. This difference in collocations confirms that "stickler" is the standard choice for someone who insists on something.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
"Instantaneous" is wrong because it is an adjective about quickness and cannot logically refer to a person in the needed sense. "Boaster" is wrong because it describes someone who speaks too proudly about successes, which is unrelated to insisting on rules or correctness. "Disciplinarian" is wrong because it focuses on enforcing discipline, often through punishment, which is related but not exactly the same as being a stickler for detail in all matters. The description in the question is more general, going beyond formal discipline, so "stickler" is the more accurate word.
Common Pitfalls:
Students may confuse "stickler" with "disciplinarian" because both can describe strict people, especially in a school or office setting. However, a stickler is usually associated with specific areas of insistence, such as timing, neatness, or accuracy. A disciplinarian can be strict without necessarily caring about fine details. Another pitfall is ignoring part of speech and thinking that any word that sounds serious might fit. Training yourself to recall common phrases such as "stickler for rules" will help you quickly recognize this word in questions and use it correctly in your own writing.
Final Answer:
The correct word for a person who insists on something being done correctly is Stickler.
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