The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is credulous.
To understand why “credulous” is the correct choice, it is essential to distinguish between the meanings of “credulous” and “credible.” Although both words are rooted in the Latin word credere, meaning “to believe,” they describe different aspects of belief and are not interchangeable.
“Credulous” is an adjective that describes a person’s character. It means having or showing too great a readiness to believe things. A person who is credulous can be described as gullible, naive, or overly trusting. They are quick to accept something as true, often without requiring sufficient proof or exercising critical judgment. The word focuses on the subject who is performing the act of believing. For example, “The credulous child believed the magician could actually make things disappear.”
In contrast, “credible” is an adjective that describes the quality of a person, a statement, or a piece of evidence. If something is credible, it is believable, convincing, and trustworthy. For instance, a credible witness is one whose testimony is likely to be true because they are reliable. A credible story is one that sounds plausible and is supported by facts. This word describes the object or source of belief, not the person who believes.
Now, let’s analyze the sentence: “Only a __ person could believe her tale.” The sentence structure, particularly the phrase “Only a,” implies that the tale being told is likely fantastic, exaggerated, or hard to believe. The blank requires an adjective that describes the kind of person who would accept such a story. This is where “credulous” fits perfectly. The sentence means that only a gullible or naive person would fall for her story.
Using “credible” would result in the sentence, “Only a credible person could believe her tale.” This creates a logical inconsistency. A “credible person” is someone who is believable themselves, not someone who is predisposed to believing others. A person’s own trustworthiness does not determine their capacity to believe someone else’s story. Therefore, “credible” is incorrect in this context. “Credulous” correctly identifies the person as being prone to belief, making it the only logical and fitting answer.
