Which word can mean hostility or ill feeling, or the motivation to do something?

Which word can mean hostility or ill feeling, or the motivation to do something?

• A. Predeliction
• B. Animus
• C. Denouement
• D. Welter

Answer: (B)

This question tests your understanding of a word that can describe hostile feeling toward others and also the motive to act. Animus fits both senses: it means ill will or hostility, and it can also denote a mental disposition or underlying drive to do something, as in having an animus to pursue a change. In practice, you might hear it in formal contexts like “an animus toward reform,” signaling a purposeful motivation behind actions. The other options don’t carry that dual sense: predilection is just a liking or preference, denouement is the conclusion of a story, and welter means a jumble or large amount of something. So animus is the best choice.

This question tests your understanding of a word that can describe hostile feeling toward others and also the motive to act. Animus fits both senses: it means ill will or hostility, and it can also denote a mental disposition or underlying drive to do something, as in having an animus to pursue a change. In practice, you might hear it in formal contexts like “an animus toward reform,” signaling a purposeful motivation behind actions. The other options don’t carry that dual sense: predilection is just a liking or preference, denouement is the conclusion of a story, and welter means a jumble or large amount of something. So animus is the best choice.