The following text is adapted from a story about a failed merchant.
The merchant sat among his unsold goods, a man who had been unfortunate in business. He looked at the pile of silk that no one wanted, seeing it as a symbol of his poor judgment. "It is high quality silk," he whispered. "But the market has changed."
As used in the text, what does the word "unfortunate" most nearly mean?
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
Unlucky
Unhappy
Regrettable
Poor
Correct Answer: A
Choice A is the best answer. The merchant failed in business. Being "unfortunate" in this context refers to having bad luck or failing. "Unlucky" is the closest synonym.
Choice B is incorrect because while he may be unhappy, "unfortunate" specifically refers to fortune or luck. Choice C is incorrect because "regrettable" applies to actions, not people's state of being. Choice D is incorrect because the text focuses on his business luck, not just his wealth status.