In the following question, choose the word from the given alternatives which best expresses the meaning of the word SYCOPHANT.

Introduction / Context:
This question tests your knowledge of advanced vocabulary, specifically words that describe types of people. The word given is sycophant, which often appears in reading comprehension passages about politics, offices and courts. Understanding this word helps you interpret attitudes and relationships between characters in a text, especially when power dynamics and flattery are involved.

Given Data / Assumptions:
Target word: SYCOPHANT.
Options given: PSYCHE, FLATTERER, CRITIC, SLAVE.
We must pick the word closest in meaning to sycophant.
Context: general English usage about behaviour around someone powerful.
We assume a neutral sentence like He surrounded himself with sycophants at the office.

Concept / Approach:
A sycophant is a person who flatters someone powerful or important in order to gain advantage, favour or rewards. The key idea is insincere praise directed upward in a hierarchy. To solve, we recall which option directly captures the idea of a person who flatters others, and then rule out words that relate to mind, criticism or status but do not specifically describe flattering behaviour.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall or infer the meaning of sycophant as a servile flatterer or a person who praises others, especially superiors, for personal gain. Step 2: Consider option FLATTERER. A flatterer is someone who compliments or praises others, often excessively and insincerely, which matches the meaning very closely. Step 3: Consider option PSYCHE. Psyche refers to the human mind or soul, not to a type of person defined by flattery; so it is unrelated in meaning. Step 4: Consider option CRITIC. A critic is someone who judges or evaluates, often pointing out faults, which is the opposite attitude of a sycophant, who avoids criticism and prefers praise. Step 5: Consider option SLAVE. A slave is someone under complete control of another person, but this word refers to legal or social status, not specifically to flattering behaviour. Step 6: The only option that correctly expresses the meaning of sycophant is FLATTERER.

Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, place each option in a sample sentence: He is surrounded by sycophants at the office. Replacing sycophants with flatterers keeps the meaning intact. If you try He is surrounded by critics or slaves instead, the sense of the sentence changes completely. This substitution test confirms that flatterer is the correct synonym.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
PSYCHE refers to the inner self or mind and has no link to flattery or social behaviour towards superiors.
CRITIC denotes someone who judges or evaluates, often negatively, which is the opposite role of a sycophant in most contexts.
SLAVE indicates lack of freedom or legal bondage, which is a different concept from someone who chooses to flatter others for benefit.

Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to associate sycophant with slave because both involve a power imbalance, but the exam expects you to focus on the active behaviour of flattering, not on social status. Another pitfall is being misled by the similar sound of PSYCHE and the first part of sycophant, but word roots do not always match meanings directly. Always prioritise meaning over sound in synonym questions.

Final Answer:
The word that best expresses the meaning of SYCOPHANT is FLATTERER.