Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: glinting
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
This vocabulary question asks you to select the synonym that best expresses the meaning of the word "shimmering". Such questions are very common in competitive exams and measure how precisely you understand subtle differences between similar looking words. Knowing the exact shade of meaning of a word helps in reading comprehension as well as in effective writing. Here, you must identify which option most accurately captures the idea of light that flickers, gleams, or glows with a soft, wavering effect, which is what "shimmering" typically conveys.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
To solve synonym questions, you should start by recalling the core idea of the word in question. "Shimmering" usually describes light that glows or shines with a soft, sometimes flickering or wavering quality, such as moonlight on water or heat rising from a road. Once you have the core meaning in mind, compare each option and see which one can be used in a similar context. A good synonym should be substitutable in most typical sentences that use the word, without changing the overall meaning or tone. Words that describe personality, intelligence, or behavior are unlikely to be correct here because "shimmering" is typically visual and related to light or appearance.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that "shimmering" means shining or gleaming with a soft, wavering, or flickering light.
Step 2: Examine option "stolid". "Stolid" refers to someone who shows little or no emotion, calm, and impassive. It is about personality, not light.
Step 3: Examine option "glinting". "Glinting" means shining with quick flashes of light or giving off small, bright reflections. This clearly relates to light and visual appearance.
Step 4: Examine option "daft". "Daft" means silly or foolish, referring to a person or behavior, not to light or visual effect.
Step 5: Examine option "daffy". "Daffy" also means silly or crazy in a light hearted way and is again about personality, not light.
Step 6: Compare all meanings. Only "glinting" has a meaning close to a visual shining effect, so it is the best synonym for "shimmering".
Verification / Alternative check:
A quick substitution test can be used. Imagine a phrase like "shimmering surface of the lake". If we replace "shimmering" with each option, only "glinting surface of the lake" still makes sense and preserves the idea of reflected or flickering light. "Stolid surface of the lake", "daft surface of the lake", or "daffy surface of the lake" sound wrong because they do not describe light or appearance. This substitution confirms that "glinting" fits the sense of "shimmering" in both meaning and usage. Therefore, "glinting" is the correct synonym.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
"Stolid" is wrong because it describes a person who is unemotional or impassive; it does not relate to light or visual sparkle. "Daft" is wrong because it means silly or foolish, again describing a person or behavior rather than a visual effect. "Daffy" is similar to "daft", meaning silly or slightly crazy, and is also unrelated to shining light. None of these three words can naturally replace "shimmering" in typical sentences without changing the meaning completely.
Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to guess based on sound rather than meaning. Some candidates may be tempted by unusual words like "daffy" simply because they look distinctive or unfamiliar. Others may not recall the exact meaning of "stolid" and might wrongly assume it has something to do with solid or steady light. Always focus on the exact dictionary meaning and on how the word is used in real sentences. Looking for the core idea of the target word and matching that idea with the options is the safest strategy for synonym questions.
Final Answer:
The word that best matches the meaning of "shimmering" is glinting.
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