Which word means 'sharp; shrewd'?

• A. Benevolent
• B. Lucid
• C. Acute
• D. Nefarious

Answer: (C)

The idea being tested is choosing a word that conveys keen mental sharpness and perceptiveness. Acute fits because it describes a mind or senses that are very sharp and quick to notice or understand things, capturing that sense of shrewd, incisive thinking. For example, an acute observer picks up on small details others miss, and acute reasoning leads to insightful conclusions.

Benevolent means kindly or charitable, which isn’t about mental sharpness. Lucid means clear or easily understood, which describes clarity more than keenness or shrewdness. Nefarious means wicked or villainous, which is about moral character, not sharpness of mind. So the term that best expresses “sharp; shrewd” is acute.