From the same passage on energy and civilisation, answer the vocabulary based question. The word ubiquitous is used to describe oil powered machines. Which option gives the closest meaning of ubiquitous as used in the passage?

Introduction / Context:
This question focuses on advanced vocabulary. In the passage, oil powered machines are described as ubiquitous, meaning they are present everywhere in modern life. You see them in transport, factories, agriculture, and daily activities. The options all begin with omni, but each has a different meaning. You must choose the one that correctly matches ubiquitous in this context.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The word ubiquitous appears in the passage in relation to oil powered machines.
• The context suggests that such machines are seen in many places and situations.
• Options provided are omnipotent, omnifarious, omniscient, and omnipresent.
• All options share the prefix omni, meaning all or everywhere, but their suffixes change the meaning.

Concept / Approach:
Ubiquitous means existing or being present everywhere at the same time or very widely encountered. Omnipresent also means present everywhere at once. Omnipotent means all powerful, a term often used for divine power. Omniscient means all knowing. Omnifarious refers to having many forms or varieties. Since the passage emphasises that oil powered machines can be found everywhere in modern civilisation, omnipresent is the closest synonym.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall the sentence from the passage: Oil powered machines are ubiquitous. Step 2: Understand from context that the author means such machines are found in almost every area of life. Step 3: Consider the meaning of omnipresent, which is present everywhere at the same time. Step 4: Compare this with omnipotent, which means all powerful and does not relate to being everywhere. Step 5: Compare with omniscient, which means all knowing and is used for knowledge, not physical presence. Step 6: Compare with omnifarious, which refers to many kinds or varieties, not simply being present everywhere. Step 7: Conclude that omnipresent matches the sense of ubiquitous in this passage.

Verification / Alternative check:
You can replace ubiquitous with each option in the original sentence to check the meaning. Oil powered machines are omnipresent makes sense and conveys the idea that they are found everywhere. Oil powered machines are omnipotent or omniscient sound strange, because machines are neither all powerful nor all knowing. Omnifarious would suggest many kinds of machines, which is not the main idea in the passage. This confirms omnipresent as the correct synonym.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Omnipotent is wrong because it describes unlimited power, often attributed to deities, not to machines spread across the world. Omniscient is wrong because it means having complete knowledge and is used in philosophical or religious contexts. Omnifarious is wrong because it emphasises variety rather than widespread presence. Only omnipresent correctly conveys the sense of being everywhere that ubiquitous carries in the passage.

Common Pitfalls:
Some candidates may pick omnipotent or omniscient simply because they are more familiar from religious or philosophical discussions. Others may guess based on the shared prefix omni without paying attention to the full word. To avoid mistakes, learn the most common omni words along with their precise meanings and compare them carefully with the passage context.

Final Answer:
The word ubiquitous in the passage is closest in meaning to omnipresent.