Choose the correct one-word substitution for: "A person who enjoys the company of other _____."
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
Correct Answer
gregarious
Explanation
The question asks for the correct one-word substitution for someone who thrives in social settings and enjoys being around others. To solve this quickly for an exam, look at the psychological profiles represented by each vocabulary option.
The word gregarious comes from the Latin root grex, which means "flock" or "herd." In English, a gregarious person is someone who naturally likes to be part of a flock or crowd—meaning they are highly sociable, outgoing, and enjoy the company of other people.
Let's look at why the other options do not fit this description:
An introvert is a person who generally prefers solitary activities and finds large social interactions emotionally draining, making this the opposite of the definition.
An egoist is a self-centered or self-absorbed person who cares primarily about their own self-interest and opinions.
A pessimist is a person who habitually expects the worst outcome or looks at the negative side of situations.
Because "gregarious" is the exact term used to describe a highly social personality, Option 2 is the correct choice.
Key Points
One-word substitutions regarding human behavior can often be decoded by looking at Latin roots, where the root "greg" always signifies a crowd, group, or gathering.
The adjective "gregarious" can apply both to human behavioral psychology and to biology when describing animals that naturally live in cooperative packs or communities.