Which adjective describes literature or speech designed to teach or convey a moral?

• A. Ephemeral
• B. Cursory
• C. Didactic
• D. Disparage

Answer: (C)

The main idea here is recognizing language that describes writing or speech whose purpose is to teach a moral or lesson. The best word for this is didactic, which comes from a root meaning teaching. When something is didactic, its main aim is instruction or moral guidance—think fables, sermons, or pieces that explicitly spell out what one should learn from them. While didactic works can be straightforward and even a bit preachy, their defining feature is that instructional goal.

Ephemeral describes something short-lived or fleeting, so it tells you nothing about teaching or moral instruction. Cursory means done quickly and without thoroughness, which again misses the instructional intent. Disparage means to belittle or criticize, which is about expressing contempt rather than teaching a lesson.