In the following question, four alternatives are given for the idiom/phrase "Pale into insignificance". Choose the alternative which best expresses its meaning.

Introduction / Context:
This question asks you to interpret the idiom "pale into insignificance". Such idiomatic expressions are often used in literature, news reports and essays to compare the importance or impact of different events or achievements. Understanding them helps you grasp the author's attitude and emphasis. You must choose the option that accurately reflects the figurative meaning of this phrase.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Idiom: "Pale into insignificance".
• Options: Seemed less important, Was less exciting, Was less hectic, Was dull and pale.
• We assume the idiom is used to compare one thing with another that is much more impressive or significant.

Concept / Approach:
The idiom "pale into insignificance" means that something appears very small, unimportant, or trivial when compared to something else that is much more impressive, serious or important. The idea is that the first thing becomes almost insignificant by comparison. This goes beyond simply being "less exciting" or "dull"; it is about relative importance. Therefore, we must pick the option that clearly expresses becoming less important in comparison to something else.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall usage: "Her achievement pales into insignificance when compared with his decades of service." Here, her achievement seems very small and unimportant. Step 2: Consider option (a) "Seemed less important". This directly captures the idea of something appearing less important, especially in comparison. Step 3: Consider option (b) "Was less exciting". This talks about excitement level, not importance; something can be important but not exciting. Step 4: Consider option (c) "Was less hectic". This refers to being less busy or chaotic, which is unrelated to importance. Step 5: Consider option (d) "Was dull and pale". This is more literal and does not refer to the idea of comparison or insignificance. Step 6: Clearly, only option (a) expresses the reduction of perceived importance.

Verification / Alternative check:
Insert the meaning into a sample sentence: "The victory of last year pales into insignificance when we think about the current crisis." Rephrased, this means "The victory of last year seems less important when we think about the current crisis." This shows that "seemed less important" is the correct interpretation. Looking at dictionary explanations, you will find definitions like "to seem unimportant by comparison", which matches option (a) almost word for word.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Was less exciting: Focuses on excitement, not importance. The idiom is about relative significance, not entertainment value.
• Was less hectic: Refers to a calmer situation, which is not implied by "pale into insignificance".
• Was dull and pale: A literal reading of "pale", but the idiom is figurative and about comparative importance, not physical appearance.

Common Pitfalls:
Learners may be misled by the word "pale" and think of colour or brightness, but in idioms, "pale" often means "to lose strength or impact" when compared with something stronger. Another mistake is to focus only on one word in the idiom instead of understanding the phrase as a whole. Always interpret idioms in their full expression and in a comparative or contextual setting.

Final Answer:
The idiom "Pale into insignificance" means seemed less important (especially by comparison to something else).