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What does usury refer to?

  1. High-interest moneylending

  2. Generous charitable donations

  3. Legal loan practices

  4. Standard banking fees

The correct answer is: High-interest moneylending

Usury specifically refers to the practice of lending money at unreasonably high-interest rates. It has historical and legal connotations that often imply exploitation, as lenders may charge excessive fees that go beyond what is deemed acceptable or legal under certain regulations. This practice has been widely criticized and often legislated against throughout history to protect borrowers from predatory lending practices. In contrast, generous charitable donations, legal loan practices, and standard banking fees represent concepts that are generally viewed positively or within legal and fair market standards. These options do not carry the negative implications associated with usury, making them distinct from the definition of the term.