Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: depicted
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
Correct spelling is essential for clear written communication, and competitive exams often include direct questions where you must identify the correctly spelled word from a set of similar looking options. Such questions test your exposure to printed English and your attention to detail. Here you must choose the one word that matches standard spelling conventions.
Given Data / Assumptions:
• Four forms are presented: "sargeons", "divorsee", "depicted", and "parlancee".
• Only one of these matches the accepted spelling of a common English word.
• No context sentence is provided, so you must rely on your stored knowledge of spellings.
Concept / Approach:
The word "depicted" is the past tense and past participle of "depict", which means to represent in words, pictures, or images. It is spelled d e p i c t e d. The other options are distorted versions of real English words. "Sargeons" seems to be an incorrect attempt at "surgeons"; "divorsee" looks similar to "divorcee", and "parlancee" resembles "parlance". In such questions, it is helpful to silently pronounce the words, recall where you have seen them, and then visualise their correct form in your mind.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Look at "depicted" and recall if you have seen this exact form in reading. It is a common word used to describe pictures or descriptions.
Step 2: Examine "sargeons". The correct word for doctors who operate is "surgeons", starting with s u r, not s a r, so this option is wrong.
Step 3: Consider "divorsee". The usual spelling for a person who is divorced is "divorcee" with c e e at the end, so this option is not correct.
Step 4: Look at "parlancee". The correct noun is "parlance" with no extra e at the end, so the given form is incorrect.
Step 5: Conclude that only "depicted" follows the proper spelling of an English verb in its past tense form.
Verification / Alternative check:
To verify further, construct a sample sentence such as "The festival was beautifully depicted in the painting." The word looks natural and familiar. Now try "The scene was sargeons" or "The rules of formal divorsee were discussed"; these forms clearly do not fit because the spellings look wrong and the grammar does not match. Visualization and usage checks like this make the correct choice stand out more clearly.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
"Sargeons" is incorrect because the profession is spelled "surgeons", not "sargeons". The vowel and consonant sequence is wrong.
"Divorsee" adds an extra e compared to "divorcee" and does not match standard usage.
"Parlancee" again adds an unnecessary e; the recognised noun is "parlance", which means a particular way of speaking or using words.
Common Pitfalls:
Many candidates are tempted by options that simply look complicated, assuming that complexity equals correctness. Others rely solely on pronunciation, but English spelling often uses silent letters or unexpected patterns. To strengthen your performance, make a habit of underlining or mentally noting interesting words as you read, and practise writing them. Regular exposure to correctly printed English across newspapers, novels, and study material gradually builds a secure mental dictionary of accurate spellings.
Final Answer:
The correctly spelled word is depicted.
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