Choose the most appropriate option to fill in the blank in the given sentence:
He is a ________ man who shrinks from taking any risk.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → cowardly
An adjective is a word that describes a noun or a pronoun, for example a tall tree, the food is tasty.
Complete sentence: He is a cowardly man who shrinks from taking any risk. A man who "shrinks from taking any risk" lacks courage, and "a ... man" needs an adjective in the positive degree, which "cowardly" is.
| Option | What it tells | Example |
|---|---|---|
| (1) cleaverer | It is not a word. The comparative of "clever" is cleverer. Even "cleverer" would need "than", and cleverness does not explain why a man shrinks from risk. | – |
| (2) greatest | A superlative takes "the" ("the greatest man"), not "a". Greatness does not match a man who fears every risk. | She is the greatest athlete of her generation. |
| (3) cowardly (answer) | Cowardly is an adjective (though it ends in -ly) meaning lacking courage, easily frightened. | It was cowardly of him to run away and leave his friend behind. |
| (4) meeker | "Meeker" is a comparative and would need "than". No comparison is made. "Meek" means quiet, gentle and ready to obey. It describes a mild nature, not fear of risk. | The meek boy never argued with anyone. |