From options A to D choose the nearest in meaning to the word or phrase underline in the sentence:
Many people used to live in POVERTY.
A. instability B. want C. difficulty D. the slums
Correct Answer: B
Explanation
The correct answer is B. want.
Explanation:
- Poverty refers to the state of being extremely poor or lacking the basic necessities of life.
- Want means a lack or deficiency of something desirable or necessary. In historical and literary contexts, "want" is often used to signify poverty or the condition of not having enough resources to meet one's needs.
- Instability refers to a lack of stability or firmness and does not directly relate to poverty.
- Difficulty means a state of hardship or trouble but is more general and does not specifically denote poverty.
- The slums are urban areas characterized by substandard housing and squalor, often associated with poverty, but it is a place rather than a condition.
Therefore, "want" is the word closest in meaning to "poverty," making option B the correct choice.
