Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: Scarcity
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
This question tests your knowledge of English vocabulary, specifically the ability to choose an accurate one-word substitute for a longer descriptive phrase. Competitive examinations often include such questions to check whether a learner understands the precise meaning and nuance of common abstract nouns that describe situations or conditions, such as abundance, shortage, or variety. Here the phrase given is “the state of being in short supply,” which refers to a condition where something is not available in sufficient quantity.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
To solve one-word substitute questions, you should first understand the exact meaning of the phrase and then recall or deduce which option matches that meaning most closely. The key phrase here is “in short supply,” which clearly suggests that something is lacking or insufficient. Therefore the correct word must convey the idea of lack, shortage, or deficiency, rather than abundance or excess. Understanding the meanings of similar sounding or related words is essential, because many options in such questions are deliberately chosen to be confusingly close in tone or category.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Interpret the phrase “the state of being in short supply” as a condition of shortage or insufficient quantity.Step 2: Recall the meaning of “Scarcity,” which refers to a shortage, dearth, or insufficient availability of something.Step 3: Recall that “Plethora” means an excessive amount or overabundance, which is the opposite of being in short supply.Step 4: Note that “Myriad” generally means a large number or countless quantity, again suggesting abundance rather than shortage.Step 5: Remember that “Profusion” also means a great, often excessive, quantity of something.Step 6: Conclude that only “Scarcity” matches the idea of being in short supply.
Verification / Alternative check:
We can verify our choice by substituting each option into the phrase. “The state of being in Scarcity” smoothly conveys the sense of shortage and is easily rephrased as “a condition of Scarcity.” In contrast, “the state of being in Plethora,” “the state of being in Myriad,” or “the state of being in Profusion” all sound unnatural and reverse the meaning, because those words describe abundance. Dictionary definitions also support this: Scarcity means lack or insufficiency, while the other three refer to plenty or excess. Therefore Scarcity is clearly the correct one-word substitute.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Plethora is wrong because it means an excessive or overabundant amount, which directly contradicts the idea of shortage. Myriad is incorrect because it refers to a very large number or countless quantity, again implying plenty, not a lack. Profusion is also incorrect, as it means great abundance or lavish quantity, which is the opposite of “in short supply.” None of these three options captures the sense of deficiency present in the given phrase.
Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to pick a word simply because it looks sophisticated or is frequently seen in reading passages, without carefully matching its meaning to the phrase. Learners sometimes confuse Scarcity with words describing abundance because all four options may appear in discussions of resources or quantities. Another pitfall is relying solely on vague memory of seeing a word in economic or social contexts and assuming it must fit any sentence about resources. The correct strategy is always to focus on the key idea in the phrase, which here is “short supply,” and connect it with the precise meaning of the options.
Final Answer:
The one-word substitute for “the state of being in short supply” is Scarcity.
Discussion & Comments