Finding the One-Word Substitute for "Not Fit to Eat"

The question asks us to select the single word that can replace the phrase "Not fit to eat". This is a common type of vocabulary question that tests our understanding of specific terms.

Analyzing the Options

Let's look at each given option and determine its meaning:

• Sullen: This word describes someone who is bad-tempered and sulky; gloomy. It is used to describe a mood or personality, not whether something is fit to eat.
• Potable: This word means suitable for drinking. It is used for liquids, typically water, to indicate they are safe to consume as a beverage.
• Inedible: This word means not fit to be eaten. It is used for food items or other substances that are unsafe or unpleasant to consume.
• Fragile: This word means easily broken or damaged. It describes the physical property of an object, not its suitability for eating.

Identifying the Correct Substitute

We are looking for a word that means "Not fit to eat". Based on our analysis of the options:

• "Sullen" is about mood.
• "Potable" is about being fit to drink.
• "Inedible" is about being not fit to eat.
• "Fragile" is about being easily broken.

Clearly, the word that directly means "Not fit to eat" is Inedible.

Detailed Explanation of Inedible

The term 'inedible' is formed by adding the prefix 'in-' to the word 'edible'. The prefix 'in-' often means 'not'. The word 'edible' means fit to be eaten. Therefore, 'inedible' means not fit to be eaten. This matches the given phrase exactly.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect

• Sullen: This relates to emotions, not suitability for consumption.
• Potable: This relates to suitability for drinking, not eating. Something can be potable (drinkable) but inedible (not edible), like soup broth before adding solids, or vice versa, something could be edible but not potable (like solid food).
• Fragile: This describes physical brittleness or delicacy, unrelated to whether something can be eaten. A delicate pastry might be fragile but edible, while a rock is fragile in geological terms but inedible.

Thus, the one-word substitute for "Not fit to eat" is Inedible.

Revision Table: Key Vocabulary

Additional Information on Word Substitutes

One-word substitutes are an important part of vocabulary building for competitive exams. They help in using precise language and understanding the exact meaning conveyed by a group of words. Learning prefixes (like 'in-', 'un-') and suffixes can often help in understanding the meaning of new words, such as how 'in-' negates 'edible' to form 'inedible'. Other related concepts include:

• Antonyms: Words with opposite meanings (e.g., edible is the antonym of inedible).
• Synonyms: Words with similar meanings.
• Homonyms: Words that sound alike but have different meanings.

Focusing on understanding the root words and common prefixes/suffixes can significantly improve your ability to tackle one-word substitution questions.