Choose the correct one-word substitute for: 'A government ruled by a single person with absolute power'.

Correct — C. The definition has two load-bearing parts: a single person and absolute power.

Autocracy is Greek autos, 'self', + kratos, 'power': rule by one person whose power has no check. Both parts of the definition are in the word → option (c).

Why the others are wrong

• (a)
  Oligarchy — Oligarchy is rule by a few, from Greek oligos, 'few'. The definition names a single person, so the count is wrong.
• (b)
  Democracy — Democracy is rule by the people, from Greek dēmos, 'people'. Power is spread among citizens, the reverse of one person holding it absolutely.
• (d)
  Anarchy — Anarchy is the absence of a ruler or government, from Greek an-, 'without', + arkhos, 'ruler'. The definition has a ruler with absolute power.

Government words are built from Greek parts, and the parts answer the question. Split each option into who rules:

autocracy: autos, self + kratos, power → one person
oligarchy: oligos, few + arkhein, to rule → a small group
democracy: dēmos, people + kratos, power → the citizens
anarchy: an-, without + arkhos, ruler → no ruler

Autocracy alone puts absolute power in a single person.

Key facts

• Autocracy: a system of government by one person with absolute power.
• Oligarchy: rule by a small group of people.
• Democracy: government by the people, directly or through elected representatives.
• Anarchy: the absence of government or authority.

Common traps

• Picking Oligarchy because it also names narrow, unaccountable rule. Oligarchy is a few people, not one.
• Letting the ending decide. -cracy (power) and -archy (rule) both name government, so only the first part, auto- or oligo-, tells you who rules.

No directly related past PYQ was found.