One of the statements below contains a word used incorrectly. Choose the option which has the incorrect or inappropriate usage of the word.
One of the statements below contains a word used incorrectly. Choose the option which has the incorrect or inappropriate usage of the word.
Solution
The question is testing for word usage between ingenious and ingenuous.
If you have a friend who can fix any broken gadget with just a paperclip and some tape, you'd call them ingenious – they're incredibly clever and creative at solving problems. Think of it as "in-GENIUS" because they're like a genius at coming up with brilliant solutions.
On the other hand, if your little brother believes every prank you tell him (like that chocolate milk comes from brown cows), he's being ingenuous – charmingly naive and trusting, without any hint of deception or worldly wisdom.
Option 1 -> Correct usage. An "ingenious solution" means a clever, creative solution to a problem.
Option 2 -> Correct usage. An "ingenious cook" is someone who is creative and clever in the kitchen.
Option 3 -> Incorrect usage. Someone who naively believes false promises should be described as "ingenuous" (naive), not "ingenious" (clever).
Option 4 -> Correct usage. Children being "ingenious" at finding excuses means they're clever and creative at making up reasons.
Hence, Option 3 is correct.