Understanding Words for Selective Habits

The question asks us to find a single word that describes someone who is hard to please, meaning they are very selective in their habits or preferences. This kind of person pays close attention to details and might have very particular standards.

Let's look at the options provided to find the word that best fits this description:

• Dexterous: This word describes someone who is skillful, especially with their hands. It relates to physical ability or cleverness, not to being hard to please or selective in habits.
• Incorrigible: This term is used for a person or their tendencies that cannot be corrected or improved, especially relating to bad behavior. It describes someone who is beyond correction, not someone who is picky.
• Sadist: A sadist is a person who derives pleasure from inflicting pain, suffering, or humiliation on others. This has no relation to being hard to please or having selective habits.
• Fastidious: This word describes someone who is very attentive to and concerned about accuracy and detail. It also describes someone who is very concerned about cleanliness. A fastidious person is often hard to please because they have high standards or are particular about small details, habits, or preferences.

Based on the meanings, the word "Fastidious" accurately describes someone who is hard to please or very selective in their habits because they are often meticulous and have particular standards that are not easily met.

Comparing the Options

Here is a quick comparison of the given words:

Therefore, "Fastidious" is the most suitable word to substitute the group of words "One hard to please (very selective in his habits)".

Revision Table: Key Vocabulary for Selective People

Additional Information: One-Word Substitutions and Selective Habits

One-word substitutions are common in English vocabulary questions. They test your ability to condense a descriptive phrase into a single precise word. Understanding the nuances of words that describe personality traits and habits is crucial.

• Words like 'fastidious', 'particular', and 'selective' all touch upon the idea of careful choosing or having high standards.
• 'Fastidious' specifically carries the connotation of being hard to please due to this attention to detail and high standards, which can sometimes relate to cleanliness, order, or very specific tastes in habits or preferences.
• Distinguishing between words with similar but distinct meanings, like differentiating 'fastidious' from 'meticulous' (which focuses more on precision in work) or 'selective' (which can be broader than just habits), is important for accurate usage.