Question

Choose the most suitable one word for the given expression-
Extreme old age when a man behaves like a fool
a)Dotage
b)Imbecility
c)Senility
d)Superannuation

Answer 1

Hint: We use one-word substitutions to replace a phrase or a sentence with one single word. ‘Senility’ refers to the state of declining both physically and mentally with increasing age or old-age.

Complete answer:
The phrase ‘extreme old age when a man behaves like a fool’ suggests that a person starts behaving like a senile or an idiot with increasing age, especially in old-age.
Now, let’s look at the given options to find the one-word substitution for the given phrase-
Option a- ‘Dotage’ refers to the period of declining years of second childhood. Example- The brothers decided to send their mother to an old-age home in her dotage. ‘Dotage’ is different in meaning to the given phrase, as it only mentions the aspect of being ‘old’. Hence, it is an incorrect option.
Option b- ‘Imbecility’ refers to the state of being extremely stupid or an idiot. Example- The young man’s imbecility is just increasing day by day. ‘Imbecility’ is different in meaning to the given phrase, as it does not mention ‘old-age’. Hence, it is an incorrect option.
Option c- ‘Senility’ refers to the declining aspects of the mental and physical abilities in old-age. Example- My grandmother has started showing signs of senility. ‘Senility’ is similar in meaning to the given phrase. Hence, it is the correct option.
Option d- ‘Superannuation’ refers to the money paid into a fund for future purposes. Example- I have just opened a superannuation fund. ‘Superannuation’ is completely different in meaning to the given phrase. Hence, it is an incorrect option.
The correct answer is Option ‘c’.

Note: Senility is also known as dementia, which is a medical condition that occurs in the old-age and affects the motor abilities, mental capacity, and physical structure of an old person.