What word describes a hypothetical cure-all?

• A. Panacea
• B. Pan-pathogen
• C. Quackery
• D. Elixir

Answer: (A)

The idea being tested is a word that means a universal remedy, one that would cure all diseases. Panacea is that word. It comes from Greek roots meaning “all” and “healing,” and it’s also the name of a Greek goddess associated with healing. In everyday use, a panacea is a hypothetical solution that would fix every problem, especially every illness, even though such a cure doesn’t really exist.

The other options don’t fit as neatly. Pan-pathogen isn’t a standard word for a universal cure. Quackery describes false or fraudulent cures, not a true universal remedy. An elixir is a magical or long-standing potion, sometimes thought to grant health or longevity, but it doesn’t specifically denote a cure-all for every disease.