The correct answer is: B. delineated
The word “delineate” means to describe or outline something in detail. In this case, the speaker is describing the scope of his paper on work ethic. This means that he is explaining what he will be discussing in the paper and what he will not be discussing.
The other options are not as accurate. The word “defined” means to give the meaning of something. In this case, the speaker is not giving the meaning of work ethic, but rather describing it. The word “ascribed” means to attribute something to someone or something. In this case, the speaker is not attributing work ethic to anyone or anything, but rather describing it. The word “declined” means to refuse to do something. In this case, the speaker is not refusing to do anything, but rather describing work ethic.
Therefore, the correct answer is: B. delineated