The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is below.
The word “inferior” is derived from the Latin root inferus, which directly translates to “low” or “underneath”. The “-ior” at the end of “inferior” is a comparative suffix in Latin, meaning “more”. Therefore, the literal translation of “inferior” is “more below” or “lower than”. This etymological foundation is crucial for understanding the word’s meaning in English. When we describe something as inferior, we are placing it at a lower level in terms of quality, rank, status, or value when compared to something else.
The context provided in the sentence, “After the change of management, the store began to offer inferior products,” supports this definition. The sentence implies that the quality of the products declined after the management change; they were of a lower standard, or “below” the quality of the products offered previously. This makes “below” the most accurate choice.
To further clarify, it is helpful to consider the antonym of “inferior,” which is “superior.” The word “superior” comes from the Latin root super, meaning “above” or “over.” The clear and direct opposition between the roots infer (below) and super (above) reinforces the meaning. A superior product is above the standard, while an inferior one is below it. The other options are incorrect. “Better” is the opposite of the intended meaning. “Small” might sometimes correlate with being of lower quality, but it is not the direct meaning of the root. “Froth” is entirely unrelated. By understanding that the root “infer” means “below,” one can more easily decipher the meaning of “inferior” and other related words in the English language, such as “infernal,” which pertains to the underworld, a realm considered to be below the earth.
