Choose the English word that has a meaning most similar to the word Autopsy.

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: Postmortem

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
This vocabulary question asks for a synonym of the word Autopsy. Such questions are standard in verbal ability sections to assess how well candidates know specialised English terms, particularly those borrowed from medicine and science. Autopsy is a word commonly encountered in news, crime stories, and medical contexts, and knowing its meaning helps in understanding those texts accurately.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • The target word is Autopsy.
  • The options are Diagnosis, Rebuild, Manufacture, and Postmortem.
  • We assume standard dictionary meanings of these English words.
  • The task is to choose the word closest in meaning to Autopsy.


Concept / Approach:
Autopsy refers to a detailed examination of a dead body to determine the cause of death, to study disease or injury, or for legal purposes. It can involve surgical procedures and careful inspection of organs and tissues. Another widely used word for the same process is Postmortem, which literally means after death in Latin and is used to describe examinations of a body after death. Diagnosis, on the other hand, is the identification of a disease or condition in a living person, and Rebuild and Manufacture relate to construction or production, not medical examination. Thus Postmortem is the exact or closest synonym.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall the meaning of Autopsy as a medical and legal examination of a dead body. Step 2: Review each option in turn. Step 3: Diagnosis is identifying a disease, usually in a living patient, which does not match the after death focus of Autopsy. Step 4: Rebuild means to build again, and Manufacture means to produce goods; both are unrelated to medical examinations. Step 5: Postmortem is used directly to describe an examination of a body after death and is often interchangeable with Autopsy. Step 6: Therefore, choose Postmortem as the correct synonym.


Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, we can recall common expressions in news reports. When a suspicious death occurs, authorities may order an Autopsy or a Postmortem examination. Both phrases describe the same activity. Diagnosis is used in sentences such as the doctor made a diagnosis of diabetes, which refers to identifying a condition in someone alive. Rebuild bridges, manufacture cars, and similar phrases clearly show that Rebuild and Manufacture belong to engineering or industry, not medicine. Therefore only Postmortem matches Autopsy in meaning and usage, confirming our answer.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Diagnosis: Involves identifying disease in a living patient through tests, symptoms, and medical history, not dissecting a dead body to find cause of death.
Rebuild: Means to construct again or repair something physical. It does not relate to examining a body or medical investigation.
Manufacture: Refers to producing goods or items in factories. It has no connection with medical or legal investigation of deaths.


Common Pitfalls:
Some candidates may confuse Diagnosis and Autopsy because both appear in medical contexts. However, careful reading shows that diagnosis happens during a person s life while Autopsy and Postmortem are strictly after death. Another pitfall is not noticing the literal meaning of Postmortem as after death, which directly aligns with Autopsy. Remembering this link can help in both vocabulary and reading comprehension tasks that involve medical or legal topics.


Final Answer:
The English word that has a meaning most similar to Autopsy is Postmortem.

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