“In spite of being warned repeatedly, he failed to correct his _________ behaviour.”
The word that best fills the blank in the above sentence is
Correct Answer
Solution & Step-by-step Explanation
Understanding Errant Behaviour in Sentence Completion
This question requires us to find the most suitable word to complete the sentence: "In spite of being warned repeatedly, he failed to correct his _________ behaviour." The core idea here is that someone's behaviour is incorrect or has deviated from the expected standard, and despite multiple warnings, they haven't changed it.
Analyzing the Options for Behaviour
Let's look at each option to see how well it fits the context:
- rational: This word means based on or in accordance with reason or logic. While behaviour can be rational or irrational, 'rational' doesn't specifically describe behaviour that needs correction after warnings. It focuses on the logical basis, not the correctness or deviation.
- reasonable: This word means having sound judgment; fair and sensible. Similar to 'rational', 'reasonable' describes behaviour that is acceptable or justifiable. It doesn't imply behaviour that is wrong or off-course, which is what the sentence suggests needs correction.
- errant: This word means straying from the proper course or standards; behaving wrongly or improperly. This perfectly describes behaviour that is faulty, incorrect, or has gone astray, especially when it persists despite warnings. It implies a deviation from what is right or expected.
- good: This word means morally excellent; virtuous. This is the opposite of the type of behaviour implied in the sentence, which is clearly stated as needing correction even after repeated warnings.
Selecting the Best Fit
The sentence highlights a failure to correct behaviour after repeated warnings. This implies the behaviour is faulty or incorrect. The word 'errant' specifically means deviating from the proper course or standards, making it the most appropriate choice to describe such behaviour. Therefore, the sentence would read: "In spite of being warned repeatedly, he failed to correct his errant behaviour."
This question requires us to find the most suitable word to complete the sentence: "In spite of being warned repeatedly, he failed to correct his _________ behaviour." The core idea here is that someone's behaviour is incorrect or has deviated from the expected standard, and despite multiple warnings, they haven't changed it.
Analyzing the Options for Behaviour
Let's look at each option to see how well it fits the context:
- rational: This word means based on or in accordance with reason or logic. While behaviour can be rational or irrational, 'rational' doesn't specifically describe behaviour that needs correction after warnings. It focuses on the logical basis, not the correctness or deviation.
- reasonable: This word means having sound judgment; fair and sensible. Similar to 'rational', 'reasonable' describes behaviour that is acceptable or justifiable. It doesn't imply behaviour that is wrong or off-course, which is what the sentence suggests needs correction.
- errant: This word means straying from the proper course or standards; behaving wrongly or improperly. This perfectly describes behaviour that is faulty, incorrect, or has gone astray, especially when it persists despite warnings. It implies a deviation from what is right or expected.
- good: This word means morally excellent; virtuous. This is the opposite of the type of behaviour implied in the sentence, which is clearly stated as needing correction even after repeated warnings.
Selecting the Best Fit
The sentence highlights a failure to correct behaviour after repeated warnings. This implies the behaviour is faulty or incorrect. The word 'errant' specifically means deviating from the proper course or standards, making it the most appropriate choice to describe such behaviour. Therefore, the sentence would read: "In spite of being warned repeatedly, he failed to correct his errant behaviour."