Dishonesty is at a premium in almost all spheres of public life. A. prevalent B. practised openly C. encouraged D. valued highly

The correct answer is A. prevalent.

Prevalent means “widespread” or “common.” In this context, it means that dishonesty is common in almost all spheres of public life. This is a serious problem, as it undermines trust in institutions and erodes the fabric of society.

The other options are incorrect because they do not accurately reflect the meaning of the sentence.

• Option B, “practised openly,” is incorrect because it suggests that dishonesty is something that is done in public, when in fact it is often done in secret.
• Option C, “encouraged,” is incorrect because it suggests that dishonesty is something that is condoned or even promoted, when in fact it is generally seen as a negative behavior.
• Option D, “valued highly,” is incorrect because it suggests that dishonesty is something that is considered to be a desirable trait, when in fact it is generally seen as a negative trait.

In conclusion, the correct answer is A. prevalent. Dishonesty is common in almost all spheres of public life, and this is a serious problem.