VOCABULARY — Choose the best synonym (same meaning) of the highlighted word, based on the sentence. Sentence: “They feel that we should be fully aware of our own ENVIRONMENT.”

Introduction / Context:
“Environment,” in everyday usage, refers to the external conditions, circumstances, and influences surrounding a person or community. The sentence talks about being aware of what is around us.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• We are not dealing with genetics or nationality.
• The context suggests the physical and social setting around people.
• We need a synonym that captures “what is around us.”

Concept / Approach:
Among the options, “surroundings” is the most direct synonym for environment. “Nationality” relates to citizenship; “heredity” to genetic inheritance; “nature” is broader and can mean the natural world or inherent qualities, which is less precise in this context.

Step-by-Step Solution:
1) Interpret “environment” as immediate setting and circumstances.2) Choose the nearest single-word synonym: “surroundings.”3) Confirm fit by substitution: “aware of our own surroundings.”

Verification / Alternative check:
Educational contexts often use “environment” and “surroundings” interchangeably for local physical and social context.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
A) “nationality” — legal identity, not setting.B) “heredity” — genetic transmission.C) “nature” — too broad; may mean outdoors or inherent qualities.

Common Pitfalls:
Overextending “nature” to cover all contexts; here precision is needed.

Final Answer:
surroundings