Select the correctly spelt word meaning ‘a person who avoids society’.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Explanation
Correct Answer
Recluse
Explanation
To determine the correct spelling, look at the etymology and phonetic structure of the word:
Definition: A recluse is a person who lives a solitary life and tends to avoid other people, social gatherings, or society entirely.
Spelling Analysis: The word comes from the Latin reclusus (meaning "shut up" or "enclosed"). In modern English, it retains a simple structure without extra vowels at the end: R-e-c-l-u-s-e.
Analysis of Misspellings:
Recluese / Recluesee: These add an unnecessary extra "e" inside or at the end of the root syllable.
Reclose: This is a completely different word (a verb meaning to close something again).
Key Points
Mnemonic: A recluse likes to seclude themselves. Both words share a very similar ending pattern (--cluse vs --clude).
Exam Shortcut: Words with a long /u:/ sound (like recluse) are often bait for trick options that inject a silent "e" after the "u" (like recluese). Remember that the base spelling is clean and straightforward: Recluse.