Nelson-Denny Practice Test

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Enhance your vocabulary and reading comprehension skills with the Nelson-Denny test. Study with comprehensive flashcards and multiple-choice questions. Ensure your success with detailed explanations and insights!

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Which word refers to a leader who holds absolute power?

Democrat
Despotic
Authoritarian
Collaborative

The correct answer is: Despotic

The term that refers to a leader who holds absolute power is "despotic." This word specifically describes a ruler or leader who exercises control in a tyrannical manner, often characterized by oppression and a lack of political freedoms. A despotic leader has the authority to make decisions unilaterally, disregarding any form of popular dissent or democratic processes. In contrast, terms like "democrat" and "collaborative" imply a distribution of power among several individuals or the involvement of the populace in decision-making, which is the opposite of absolute power. "Authoritarian," while it does denote a concentration of power, does not necessarily imply the absolute control that "despotic" conveys; authoritarianism can sometimes involve a more structured regime with limited political plurality, whereas despotic leaders operate without checks on their power.