Which word means 'to evade responsibility by pretending to be ill'?

• A. Laud
• B. Malinger
• C. Obdurate
• D. Obsequious

Answer: (B)

Feigning illness to avoid responsibilities is the idea here. Malinger means to pretend to be ill in order to escape work or duties. It implies a deliberate deception aimed at shirking obligation, not simply being sick or lazy. As a verb, you can say someone malingered to dodge a task, or that they are malingering. For contrast, to laud is to praise highly, obdurate describes stubborn refusal, and obsequious means excessively eager to please—none of these involve pretending to be ill to avoid duties.