Contemptuous vs. contemptible

[US English speaker John]

Common Errors in English, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #12 "Latin Words", question 6

To act in this disgraceful manner can only be described as contemptuous by anybody's standards.

(a) disgraceful
(b) described
(c) contemptuous
(d) anybody's

Common Errors in English, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #12 "Latin Words", answer 6

To act in this disgraceful manner can only be described as contemptible by anybody's standards.

Correct entry: contemptible
The error was: (c) contemptuous

You have not found the error.
To act in this disgraceful manner can only be described as contemptuous by anyone's standards.
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Contemptuous is as logical a choice as contemptible. 'By anyone's standards the disgraceful act was contemptuous (toward those present, for example.

USA speaker of English

[Alan]

Hi USA speaker of English,

You said: