Question

Choose the word or phrase that most nearly defines the underlined word.

"The first words to describe Boo Radley are malevolent phantom."
a) Friendly
b) Malicious
c) Harmless
d) Ghostly

Answer 1

The word 'malevolent' in reference to Boo Radley in the novel describes an intent to cause harm, making 'malicious' the term that most nearly defines it.

Step-by-step explanation:

The word 'malevolent' most nearly defines as malicious. The word malevolent comes from Latin words that mean 'wishing evil to others'. In the given context related to Boo Radley from the novel, the term suggests an intent to cause harm or evil.

The word 'malevolent' in reference to Boo Radley in the novel describes an intent to cause harm, making 'malicious' the term that most nearly defines it.

Option (b) Malicious is the correct answer as it embodies the idea of someone with ill will as opposed to (a) Friendly, (c) Harmless, and (d) Ghostly which have different connotations. Ghostly could be a deceptive choice due to the use of 'phantom' but the question asks for the definition of 'malevolent' specifically.