Question

wolfgang bosbach, chairman of the interior committee in the german parliament, said he ordered a preliminary inquiry into the alleged assassination plot at the request of the leftist party. source: the wall street journal in this sentence, preliminary means: favoring one person or side over another not conforming to legality, moral law, or social convention relating to, based on, or involving comparison preceding or in preparation for something more important

Explanation:

The word "preliminary" in the context of an "inquiry" (an investigation) implies that it is a first - stage or initial step. Let's analyze each option:

• "Favoring one person or side over another" is the definition of "biased", not "preliminary".
• "Not conforming to legality, moral law, or social convention" is the definition of "unethical" or "unlawful", not relevant to "preliminary".
• "Relating to, based on, or involving comparison" is the definition of "comparative", not "preliminary".
• "Preceding or in preparation for something more important" fits well. A preliminary inquiry is an initial, preparatory investigation before a more in - depth or final one.

Answer:

preceding or in preparation for something more important