Explanation:
> "His penury gave him a lifetime of hunger."

"Penury" means extreme poverty or a lack of basic necessities. The closest meaning should relate to severe financial hardship or destitution.

Now, let's look at the options:

- A. avariciousness — This means a strong desire for material wealth or greed, which isn't the same as "penury." Incorrect.
- B. affluence — This means wealth or abundance, which is the opposite of "penury." Incorrect.
- C. poverty — This directly means the state of being poor, which matches the meaning of "penury." Correct.
- D. penny pinching — This refers to being very careful or miserly with money, but it doesn’t indicate extreme poverty. Incorrect.
- E. greed — Greed refers to an excessive desire for wealth, which is different from "penury." Incorrect.
s!