Her choice of words showed linguistic ________, earning praise for the felicity of expression.

• A. Sobriquet
• B. Specious
• C. Felicity
• D. Mendacious

Answer: (C)

Recognizing a word that describes apt, graceful language is what this item is testing. The blank should be filled with a noun that conveys skillful, fitting, and pleasing expression. Felicity captures that sense: it refers to the quality of expressing ideas in a way that is apt, elegant, and effective. So “linguistic felicity” is a natural, well-established phrase meaning superb expression in language, which is why the sentence praises the expression so highly. The other terms don’t fit: sobriquet means a nickname, which isn’t about the quality of expression; specious means misleadingly attractive but not genuinely good language; mendacious means dishonest, which would not earn praise for expression.