Which term refers to something that is dependent on other factors?

• A. Contingent
• B. Deficit
• C. Depress
• D. Defecate

Answer: (A)

The idea being tested is conditional dependence—something that only happens or is true because of other factors. The word that captures this is contingent, which means conditional or dependent on something else being the case. For example, a plan can be contingent on funding or a decision; it relies on those other factors to come through.

Deficit refers to a shortfall or lack, not dependence on other factors. Depress means to push down or to feel sad, and defecate means to excrete waste; neither conveys a sense of dependence on other conditions.