"Intending to cause harm; destructive; deadly" is best defined as which word?

• A. Futile
• B. Pernicious
• C. Diverse
• D. Candid

Answer: (B)

The idea being tested is recognizing a word that signals harmful, damaging impact. Pernicious fits because it describes something that causes harm or injury, often in a gradual or insidious way, and can be deadly or very destructive. It captures that sense of lasting, harmful influence.

Futile means pointless or useless, so it doesn’t convey harm or destruction. Diverse means varied or different, which has nothing to do with harm. Candid means honest or frank, unrelated to harm. So pernicious is the best choice for the sense of harmful, destructive influence.