Opportunity Cost as the Forgone Alternative

Steps:

• Define opportunity cost: the value of the next best alternative sacrificed when making a choice.
• Identify alternatives to going to the cinema from the options provided.
• Determine the highest-valued option not chosen, based on context implying visiting relatives was the preferred alternative.
• Select that option as the opportunity cost.

Why C is correct:

• Opportunity cost is the best alternative forgone; visiting relatives represents the specific next-best use of time displaced by the cinema trip, per economic definition.

Why the others are wrong:

• A: Cricket match is a possible activity but not the highest-valued alternative in this scenario.
• B: Town parade is another option, yet it ranks below visiting relatives as the forgone choice.
• D: Losing free time describes the general sacrifice but not the specific alternative activity.

Final answer: C