ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery)Word Knowledge (WK)Hard
The scientist was known for his <b>fastidious</b> attention to detail, meticulously recording every observation in his lab notebook. What does 'fastidious' describe?
- ACareless
- BMeticulous
- CHasty
- DIndifferent
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Meticulous
The phrase 'meticulously recording every observation' directly illustrates the scientist's extreme care and attention to detail. 'Fastidious' means very attentive to and concerned about accuracy and detail, making 'meticulous' the perfect synonym.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Careless is the opposite of fastidious.
- C. Hasty implies speed without care, which is contrary to fastidious behavior.
- D. Indifferent means having no particular interest or sympathy, which contradicts the described behavior.
Fastidious
Very attentive to and concerned about accuracy and detail.
- Can also imply being difficult to please due to high standards.
- Often associated with perfectionism or extreme neatness.
- Synonyms: meticulous, scrupulous, punctilious, painstaking.
Memory trick: Fastidious is like 'fast' and 'tedious' work, because every tiny detail must be perfect.