Which word means 'perceptive; intelligent'?

• A. clever
• B. astute
• C. smart
• D. keen

Answer: (B)

Astute is the best choice because it specifically carries the sense of perceptive judgment and sharp, insightful understanding of a situation. When someone is astute, they notice subtle details, infer meanings quickly, and make sound judgments about people or events.

Clever focuses on quick-wittedness or ingenuity, often about solving a problem or coming up with a trick, but it doesn’t necessarily imply deep perceptiveness about people or situations. Smart is a broad label for intelligence in general, which can miss the nuance of acute perception. Keen can mean sharp or enthusiastic, and it can describe strong interest or sharp senses, but it’s less precise for the nuanced idea of insightful, shrewd understanding that astute conveys.