Nelson-Denny Practice Test

What word would best describe someone who seems to be always in trouble?

1. Dismal

2. Ail

3. Industrious

4. Fallacious

The correct answer is: Ail

The word that best describes someone who seems to be always in trouble is not “ail.” A more fitting term to capture that idea would relate to a person's situation or demeanor suggesting ongoing difficulty or conflict. Dismal conveys a sense of gloom or disappointment and may hint at an unfortunate situation but does not specifically indicate someone who is perpetually in trouble. Industrious describes someone who is hard-working and diligent, which does not apply to someone habitually facing trouble. Fallacious pertains to deception, misleading reasoning, or falsehoods, and does not connect to the concept of consistently getting into trouble. Given the context of someone frequently encountering trouble, a word like “troublesome” or “problematic” would align better with the description being sought. Therefore, the choice labeled “ail” does not effectively capture the essence of a person who is often in trouble, as “ail” typically refers to suffering or experiencing distress, which while it may suggest difficulties, lacks the clarity regarding the habitual nature of being in trouble.