Nelson-Denny Practice Test

How can partial be best described?

1. Complete

2. Total

3. Fragmentary

4. Unqualified

The correct answer is: Fragmentary

The term "partial" is best described as "fragmentary" because it refers to something that is not whole or complete; it denotes the presence of only a portion of a whole. When something is described as partial, it suggests that it lacks the full amount or entirety, which aligns with the idea of being fragmented or incomplete. In contrast, alternatives such as "complete" and "total" imply wholeness and entirety, which is opposite to the concept of being partial. Similarly, "unqualified" generally suggests something without restrictions or conditions, which does not fit with the notion of being only a part or fragment of a larger entity. Thus, "fragmentary" accurately captures the essence of what "partial" embodies.