VOCABULARY — Choose the best synonym (same meaning) of the highlighted word, based on the sentence. Sentence: “Traffic being what it is, it is LAMENTABLE that our roads are unable to take the load.”

Introduction / Context:
“Lamentable” expresses that something deserves lament or strong regret; it is poor, regrettable, or very unsatisfactory. In public policy or infrastructure discussions, “deplorable” is often used similarly to mark a situation as highly regrettable and worthy of criticism.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The topic is road capacity under heavy traffic.
• We seek a synonym conveying strong regret and criticism.
• Subtle distinctions exist between moral culpability and practical poor quality.

Concept / Approach:
“Deplorable” is the closest standard synonym for “lamentable” in the sense of deeply regrettable conditions. “Unpardonable” and “inexcusable” focus on moral blame or fault, which may be stronger than the sentence implies. “Terrible” is very broad and less precise.

Step-by-Step Solution:
1) Determine tone: strong regret about infrastructure shortfall.2) Select “deplorable” to match formal register and sense.3) Validate by substitution: “it is deplorable that our roads …”

Verification / Alternative check:
Policy editorials commonly label failing infrastructure as “deplorable,” aligning with “lamentable.”

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
A) “unpardonable” — focuses on unforgivable guilt.C) “inexcusable” — moral censure stronger than needed.D) “terrible” — vague intensity without nuance.

Common Pitfalls:
Equating all negative adjectives; choose the one that matches register and nuance.

Final Answer:
deplorable