The mayor's lavish lifestyle and ______ consumption of municipal funds triggered a formal corruption inquiry.
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. conspicuous
- Step 1: 'Conspicuous' in this context relates to 'conspicuous consumption', the overt, ostentatious display of wealth to gain status. A politician flaunting public wealth in an extravagant manner attracts legal scrutiny for misuse of public revenues. Answer: conspicuous. Why not the others: "ascetic behavior" characterized by severe self-discipline and abstention from all forms of indulgence; "frugal habits" means sparing, economical, and prudent with regard to money or food resources; "austere choices" means severe, plain, and devoid of comforts or luxuries, opposite of lavishness.
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