Out of the given alternatives choose the one which can be the substitute for the given sentence: A person, who is suffering from a nervous breakdown, is –

The answer is B) Neurotic. A neurotic person is one suffering from neurosis, a mild mental disorder marked by anxiety, stress and emotional strain. A nervous breakdown is a loose everyday term for a period of acute mental distress, and 'neurotic' is the single word that fits that sense.

• Eccentric means odd or unconventional in behaviour. It describes personality, not illness, so it does not capture someone in acute distress.
• Lunatic refers to severe insanity in older usage. It is far stronger than a nervous breakdown, and today it is considered offensive and is not used in clinical or precise writing.
• Mongrel means a crossbred animal, usually a dog, and is used as an insult for people. It has no connection with mental health.

Core concept: one-word substitution built on mental health vocabulary. For Mains, the same precision matters in essays and ethics answers on mental health and stigma, where word choice carries weight.

Trap: aspirants pick 'Eccentric' because it sounds like a mild mental quirk, or 'Lunatic' because it looks like the most severe term. Match the word to the exact condition described.