The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is egregious.
Explanation
The word egregious is the most suitable choice to complete the sentence. Egregious means outstandingly bad or shocking. In the context of the sentence, the company was “forced to find a new supplier” due to “quality-control failures.” This action implies that the failures were not minor or ambiguous but were exceptionally severe and unacceptable. The word egregious perfectly captures this high degree of negativity, describing failures so significant that they necessitated the termination of a business relationship. The introductory word “Unfortunately” also sets a negative tone, which aligns with the meaning of egregious.
Let’s analyze why the other options are incorrect. Equivocal means ambiguous or open to more than one interpretation. If the failures were merely equivocal, the company would likely seek clarification rather than immediately find a new supplier. The words ebullient, meaning cheerful and full of energy, and effulgent, meaning shining brightly or radiant, are positive adjectives. Using them would create a nonsensical phrase like “cheerful failures” or “radiant failures.” Lastly, amorous means relating to or showing love or sexual desire, which is completely irrelevant to a business context involving quality control.
Therefore, egregious is the only option that logically fits the sentence’s structure and meaning. It accurately describes the shocking and unacceptable nature of the vendor’s mistakes, providing a clear reason for the drastic consequence of finding a new supplier. The term conveys a sense of conduct that is well beyond the bounds of what is considered normal or acceptable, making it the ideal descriptor for the situation
