Which word describes something not original but drawing on earlier works?

Which word describes something not original but drawing on earlier works?

• A. Derivative
• B. Original
• C. Offshoot
• D. Innovative

Answer: (A)

The key idea is describing something that relies on or borrows from earlier works rather than being completely new. A derivative work is created by adapting or drawing on previous material, so it isn’t fully original. That tight connection to prior pieces makes it the best fit for describing something that draws on earlier works. Original means completely new and not drawn from others, and innovative emphasizes introducing new methods or ideas, often with a sense of novelty rather than direct borrowing. An offshoot is like a branch or sidetrack from something, which can be related but doesn’t inherently carry the explicit sense of borrowing from prior material as strongly as derivative.

The key idea is describing something that relies on or borrows from earlier works rather than being completely new. A derivative work is created by adapting or drawing on previous material, so it isn’t fully original. That tight connection to prior pieces makes it the best fit for describing something that draws on earlier works.

Original means completely new and not drawn from others, and innovative emphasizes introducing new methods or ideas, often with a sense of novelty rather than direct borrowing. An offshoot is like a branch or sidetrack from something, which can be related but doesn’t inherently carry the explicit sense of borrowing from prior material as strongly as derivative.