Choose the most appropriate word to fill in the blank in the given sentence:
In a world that values profit over ethics, it is rare to find a ___________ business-owner who values slow growth over instantaneous rewards that inevitably compromise the quality of the product.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → conscientious
Complete sentence: In a world that values profit over ethics, it is rare to find a conscientious business-owner who values slow growth over instantaneous rewards that inevitably compromise the quality of the product. A business-owner who prefers slow, honest growth to quick profits that spoil the quality of the product is conscientious.
| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| (1) conscious | aware of something, or awake (the words sound alike: conscious is about awareness, conscientious about doing what is right) | He was conscious of the danger. |
| (2) consensus | a noun meaning general agreement within a group (it cannot describe a business-owner) | The members reached a consensus after a long debate. |
| (3) conscientious (answer) | careful to do what is right and to do one's work well, guided by one's conscience | A conscientious student checks every answer before handing in the paper. |
| (4) conscience | a noun meaning the inner sense of right and wrong (the adjective formed from it is conscientious) | His conscience would not let him lie. |