Each of the sentences in the following items has an underlined word, followed by four choices. Select the most appropriate option that is an improvement of the underlined word in the context of the sentence, and mark your response on the Answer Sheet accordingly.
His inappropriate behaviour earned **plaudits** from his colleagues.
- Asanctimoniousness
- Btriumph
- Copprobrium
- Dbanter
Explanation
'Plaudits' means enthusiastic applause or praise, which inappropriate behaviour would never earn. The sentence needs the opposite — public disgrace or contempt — which is 'opprobrium'. 'Sanctimoniousness' means making a show of piety, 'triumph' means victory, and 'banter' means playful teasing; none denotes the disgrace that misconduct brings. 'Opprobrium' is the precise word for the public contempt inappropriate behaviour earns.