following sentences, choose the word or group of words that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word as it…

Step 1: Analyze the question The underlined word is pernicious. We need the option closest in meaning to it, as used in the sentence: "laying off workers is pernicious to the growth of the company."

Step 2: Explain the concept Pernicious (adjective) means having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way. It is a negative word, often followed by "to" or "effect on." Related words are destructive, damaging, injurious, detrimental.

Step 3: Work through the options

• A. crucial means very important. This is not about harm, so it does not fit.
• B. irrelevant means not related or not important. It does not carry the idea of damage.
• C. indispensible (indispensable) means absolutely necessary. This is the opposite of what a negative word like pernicious suggests.
• D. harmful means causing damage. This matches pernicious exactly.

Step 4: Test it in the sentence "The Chairman is of the opinion that laying off workers is harmful to the growth of the company." The sentence still makes sense and keeps the same meaning. Firing workers is seen as damaging to the company's growth.

Step 5: Answer The correct option is D. harmful.

Exam tip: When you meet an unfamiliar word, check whether it feels positive or negative from the context. Here "laying off workers" is a negative action, and the phrase "pernicious to growth" suggests damage. That alone eliminates A and C, which are positive or necessity words. Also remember that pernicious is often confused with precious, which sounds similar but means the opposite.