Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: Reluctant
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
This question is a synonym based analogy. Indiscreet and Imprudent are closely related in meaning, and you have to find a word that stands in a similar synonym relationship with Indisposed. Vocabulary questions like this measure how well you can match subtle shades of meaning between English words, which is important for many competitive exams.
Given Data / Assumptions:
1) Indiscreet describes someone who lacks discretion, often acting or speaking in a way that is not wise or cautious.
2) Imprudent similarly describes behaviour that is not wise, not careful, or lacking good judgement.
3) Indisposed can mean mildly unwell or, in many contexts, unwilling or reluctant to do something at a particular time.
4) The options are Concerned, Reluctant, Crucial, and Clear.
5) We look for a word that fits as a close synonym of Indisposed in common usage.
Concept / Approach:
The link between Indiscreet and Imprudent is that of near synonyms, both referring to a lack of discretion or good judgement. To complete the analogy, we need a word that is similarly a near synonym of Indisposed. In everyday English, a person often says that they are indisposed to mean that they are not willing or are reluctant to do something, even if they are not seriously ill. So the best match in the options is Reluctant.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Clarify the first pair. Indiscreet refers to revealing things that should be kept private or acting without careful thought, and Imprudent also refers to acting without wisdom or caution.
Step 2: Understand Indisposed. It can mean slightly ill, but in many formal or polite contexts it means not willing to do something or not in a position to take part.
Step 3: Examine option a, Concerned. Concerned means worried or interested, which does not capture the meaning of Indisposed.
Step 4: Examine option b, Reluctant. Reluctant means not willing or hesitant to do something, which fits the common polite sense of Indisposed.
Step 5: Examine option c, Crucial. Crucial means very important or critical, and it is not semantically related to Indisposed.
Step 6: Examine option d, Clear. Clear means transparent or easily understood and again does not match the idea of being unwilling or unfit.
Step 7: Conclude that Reluctant is the only option that functions as a near synonym of Indisposed in the same way that Imprudent matches Indiscreet.
Verification / Alternative check:
Consider polite expressions such as The minister is indisposed and cannot attend the meeting, which naturally paraphrases to The minister is reluctant or unable to attend. By contrast, replacing Indisposed with Concerned, Crucial, or Clear makes the sentence sound unnatural or incorrect. This confirms that Reluctant is the best semantic match.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Concerned focuses on worry, not unwillingness. Crucial concerns importance and not a person's state or willingness. Clear refers to clarity or lack of obstruction. None of these ideas match the sense of Indisposed as used in the analogy, so they cannot mirror the synonym relationship from the first pair.
Common Pitfalls:
Candidates sometimes think only of the medical meaning of Indisposed and become confused. However, even in that sense, Indisposed suggests being not in a fit state to participate, which is again close to being unwilling or unable. Keeping in mind this broader, polite usage helps to identify Reluctant as the correct choice.
Final Answer:
The correct completion of the analogy is Indisposed : Reluctant, just as Indiscreet : Imprudent.
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