Occasionally, universities award … degrees to outstanding personalities.

Step 1: Analyze the question The sentence is about universities giving degrees to "outstanding personalities" (famous or distinguished people). We need the adjective that describes the kind of degree given to such people.

Step 2: Explain the concept This is a vocabulary-in-context question, and the key is a collocation, meaning words that naturally go together. A degree given as a mark of respect, without the person having studied or written exams for it, is called an honorary degree. Examples are "Honorary Doctor of Letters" or "Honorary Doctor of Law" (D.Litt., LL.D.), which Nigerian universities often award to politicians, philanthropists, and eminent scholars.

Step 3: Test each option

• A. ceremonial: This means related to a ceremony. It is not a standard term for a type of degree.
• B. honorary: This means given as an honour, without the usual requirements. It fits perfectly with "outstanding personalities."
• C. temporary: Degrees are not temporary. This makes no sense.
• D. respectable: This means decent or socially acceptable. It is not used to classify degrees.

Step 4: Answer The correct option is B. honorary.

Tip: Remember that honorary comes from honour. If a degree, title, or position is given to honour someone rather than earned through study, it is honorary. The words "outstanding personalities" are your clue.