Nelson-Denny Practice Test

The term "dolt" serves as a synonym for "fool" or "clown" because it refers to a person who is considered to be slow or stupid, often lacking common sense or intelligence. This aligns with the connotation of a "fool," which typically indicates a lack of wisdom or an individual who may act in a silly or nonsensical way, much like a clown does.

The other options do not carry the same meaning. "Feckless" describes someone who is ineffective or useless, but it does not specifically imply foolishness or the lighthearted, amusing aspect of a clown. "Apathetically" is an adverb indicating a lack of interest or concern, which is unrelated to the notion of being foolish. "Covert" means secret or hidden, and it also does not relate to the attributes of a fool or clown. Thus, "dolt" is the most fitting synonym in this context.