Final answer:
The correct word to complete the sentence is 'Single,' indicating the strictness of the terms. Words for family members are less likely to be borrowed from another language compared to pronouns.
Step-by-step explanation:
The sentence “The terms are strict and absolute; there may not even be a ____ word spoken to the child.” requires a word that fits appropriately in the context of the terms being strict and absolute. Given the options A. Single, B. Kind, C. Loving, and D. Disobedient, the correct choice that completes the sentence meaningfully would be A. Single. This indicates that the conditions are so stringent that not even one word may be spoken to the child, emphasizing the absolute nature of the terms.
Exploring language borrowing, among the given options, words for family members are less likely to be borrowed because these words are usually deeply rooted in a culture’s original language and hold significant meaning. In contrast, pronouns are more likely to be borrowed because they are function words used to facilitate communication and can often be adopted or adapted when languages come into contact.