Question 1

English Vocabulary — Synonyms (closest meaning; business/administration usage) Choose the single word that is CLOSEST in meaning to the highlighted verb in the sentence below. Sentence: Manish neglected to remit the fees in time and therefore had to…

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: In administrative and financial English, “remit fees” means to send or pay the fees. The sentence states that Manish “neglected to remit,” which implies he did not make the required payment on time, leading to a penalty. We must select the option that most accurately paraphrases this failure as used in routine notices and rules. Given Data / Assumptions: Target verb phrase: “remit (the fees).” Negated form: “neglected to remit” = did not send/pay. Outcome: fine imposed for non-payment by due date. Concept / Approach: Within the sentence, the essential meaning is “failed to pay/send.” Among the given choices, “failed” best captures neglect/non-compliance with a required action. “Refused” would imply deliberate defiance; “promised” is unrelated; “obstructed” suggests blocking another’s action; and a bare “send” is the positive action rather than its neglect. Thus, “failed” is the closest paraphrase in context. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Interpret “neglected to remit” as “did not pay/send.”2) Map this to a concise paraphrase: “failed (to do so).”3) Eliminate options with incorrect intent (refused) or unrelated meanings (promised, obstructed).4) Confirm that the fine logically follows a failure to remit. Verification / Alternative check: Rephrase: “Manish failed to pay the fees on time and therefore had to pay a fine.” This maintains the causal logic of the original sentence. Why Other Options Are Wrong: refused: Implies willful defiance; not stated.promised: Future intent; irrelevant.obstructed: Action against a process; wrong subject/action.send: Opposite of what happened; he did not send/pay. Common Pitfalls: Misreading “remit” as “forgive” (another sense) or overlooking the negation “neglected to.” In fee/payment contexts, “remit” = send/pay money. Final Answer: failed

Question 2

VOCABULARY — Choose the best synonym (same meaning) of the highlighted word, based on the sentence.  Sentence: “Some of the Asian countries have been ENMESHED in an inescapable debt trap.”

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The sentence discusses nations caught in an inescapable debt trap. The highlighted word “enmeshed” is often used for situations where someone or something is caught up in a complicated web of problems or obligations. This item tests your command of precise synonyms in geopolitical and economic contexts. Given Data / Assumptions: The subject is countries facing a debt trap, a complex and constraining situation. “Enmeshed” modifies the relationship between those countries and their debt. We need the closest single-word synonym that preserves the metaphor of being caught in a net or mesh. Concept / Approach: “Enmesh” literally evokes being caught in a mesh or net. Metaphorically, it means to entangle or involve deeply in a difficult situation from which escape is hard. Therefore, the most accurate synonym is “entangled.” Words like “hit” or “struck” describe a sudden adverse event but do not capture the continuing, constricting nature of a trap. “Ensured” is almost the opposite in tone, indicating guarantee rather than restraint. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Identify semantic core: “enmeshed” = caught up, involved so deeply that disentanglement is hard.2) Compare options: “entangled” matches the net/trap metaphor; “hit/struck” imply impact, not ongoing restraint; “ensured” is unrelated.3) Test substitution: “countries have been entangled in an inescapable debt trap” reads naturally and preserves meaning.4) Confirm register: both “enmeshed” and “entangled” are common in policy writing. Verification / Alternative check: Think of parallel phrases: “enmeshed in controversy,” “entangled in litigation.” In each, both words emphasize being caught in complex, sticky circumstances. This strengthens the synonymy. Why Other Options Are Wrong: B) “hit” — a one-time impact; does not describe ongoing constraint.C) “struck” — similar to “hit,” still event-focused, not trap-like.D) “ensured” — means guaranteed; opposite sense of being trapped.E) Not needed because A fits exactly. Common Pitfalls: Confusing shock words (hit/struck) with sustained-condition words (enmeshed/entangled). Debt traps are persistent, not merely sudden impacts. Final Answer: entangled

Question 3

VOCABULARY — Choose the best synonym (same meaning) of the highlighted word, based on the sentence.  Sentence: “She BAFFLED all our attempts to find her.”

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The verb “baffled” here means that every effort made to locate her failed because she somehow prevented or frustrated those efforts. This question checks your sensitivity to fine shades of meaning among near-synonyms describing failure of plans or attempts. Given Data / Assumptions: The object is “our attempts to find her.” “Baffled” must relate to causing those attempts to fail or become ineffective. We want a synonym that works idiomatically with “attempts.” Concept / Approach: “Thwart” means to oppose successfully; to prevent from accomplishing a purpose. In the collocation “thwart attempts,” the fit is exact and idiomatic. “Foiled” is also close (prevented from succeeding), but “thwarted” is the most common partner with “attempts.” “Defeated” is broader and often applies to opponents rather than attempts. “Circumvented” means to find a way around rules or obstacles—not quite the same as making someone else’s attempts fail. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Determine the target construction: X baffled Y’s attempts → X prevented Y’s attempts.2) Check idiom frequency: “thwarted our attempts” is standard and precise.3) Assess alternates: “foiled” is close, but slightly less prototypical with “attempts.”4) Choose “thwarted” for best semantic and collocational match. Verification / Alternative check: Substitute directly: “She thwarted all our attempts to find her.” The sentence remains smooth and accurate in meaning, confirming correctness. Why Other Options Are Wrong: A) “defeated” — too general; typically takes an animate opponent, not “attempts.”C) “foiled” — close synonym, but “thwarted” is the textbook collocation with “attempts.”D) “circumvented” — means worked around an obstacle; not the same as blocking someone else’s search.E) Not needed because B is exact. Common Pitfalls: Equating all “prevent” words. Pay attention to what is being prevented (an attempt vs a person) and to idiomatic pairings in formal English. Final Answer: thwarted

Question 4

VOCABULARY — Choose the best synonym (same meaning) of the highlighted word, based on the sentence.  Sentence: “It is a SCANDAL that the murderer was declared innocent.”

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: “Scandal” in public affairs refers to an event or decision that is morally or socially disgraceful, provoking outrage. The sentence frames a judicial outcome as a moral shock. This asks you to differentiate between mere talk and a substantive act that is disgraceful. Given Data / Assumptions: The issue is a murderer being declared innocent. “Scandal” must denote an event or action, not just gossip. We seek the closest paraphrase capturing the shock and disgrace dimension. Concept / Approach: Among the choices, “disgraceful action” best matches the sense of “scandal” as a reprehensible occurrence. “Silly notion” trivializes the moral gravity. “Talk” or “rumour” point to conversation and hearsay, which are consequences of a scandal but not the scandal itself. The core meaning is about an act or situation that is shocking and shameful. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Identify semantic core: scandal = shocking, disgraceful event or action.2) Compare options: only “disgraceful action” names an event with moral censure.3) Substitute: “It is a disgraceful action that the murderer was declared innocent.” This keeps the evaluative force.4) Confirm register: both words are used in editorials and public commentary. Verification / Alternative check: Consider derivative forms: “scandalous decision” aligns directly with “disgraceful decision,” reinforcing the mapping. Why Other Options Are Wrong: A) “silly notion” — minimizes seriousness; wrong dimension.B) “talk” — refers to public discussion, not the shocking event.C) “rumour” — unverified talk; not the scandal itself.E) Not necessary because D fits exactly. Common Pitfalls: Confusing the scandal (event) with the buzz (gossip) that follows. The question targets the event’s disgrace, not the chatter. Final Answer: disgraceful action

Question 5

VOCABULARY — Choose the best synonym (same meaning) of the highlighted word, based on the sentence.  Sentence: “Everybody likes him because he is an INDUSTRIOUS student.”

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: “Industrious” is a trait word for someone who works hard consistently and conscientiously. In academic contexts, it highlights steady effort rather than natural brilliance. The task is to pick the synonym that most precisely conveys steady, careful hard work. Given Data / Assumptions: The subject is a student admired for work ethic. We need a word that stresses persistence and careful effort. Avoid words that only suggest speed, talent, or general positivity. Concept / Approach: “Diligent” means steady, earnest, and energetic effort, especially in a careful, methodical way—this is the closest to “industrious.” “Energetic” suggests high energy, not necessarily focused work. “Prompt” concerns speed or punctuality. “Excellent” evaluates quality or ability, not effort. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Clarify the target: industrious = hardworking and conscientious.2) Compare candidates: “diligent” uniquely encodes sustained, careful effort.3) Substitute test: “he is a diligent student” preserves the sense perfectly.4) Discard distractors that shift focus to speed, energy, or talent alone. Verification / Alternative check: Dictionary pairings commonly list industrious ↔ diligent, reinforcing that this is the standard synonym pair in exam usage. Why Other Options Are Wrong: A) “energetic” — energy level, not necessarily productive, careful work.B) “prompt” — timing or quick response, different axis.C) “excellent” — quality of output, not work ethic. Common Pitfalls: Equating “busy” or “energetic” with disciplined, consistent effort. Industriousness implies diligence, not just activity. Final Answer: diligent

Question 6

VOCABULARY — Choose the best synonym (same meaning) of the highlighted word, based on the sentence.  Sentence: “The young man appears to be quite HEADSTRONG.”

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: “Headstrong” describes a person who is willful, self-willed, and refuses to be guided or restrained—often synonymous with stubborn. The question asks you to choose the closest synonym that preserves this sense of stubborn will. Given Data / Assumptions: The description is about personality, not physical strength or intelligence. Context implies refusal to yield or listen. We must avoid pejoratives that shift meaning (e.g., stupidity) or unrelated traits (e.g., humor). Concept / Approach: “Obstinate” means stubbornly adhering to an opinion, purpose, or course despite reason or persuasion—precisely parallel to “headstrong.” “Thick-headed” implies slow-witted, which is about intelligence, not willfulness. “Robust” is about strength or health. “Witty” concerns humor and quickness of mind. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Map key trait: headstrong = stubborn, willful.2) Compare: “obstinate” matches; others are off-axis.3) Substitution test: “appears to be quite obstinate” keeps intent intact.4) Confirm register: both are common descriptors in behavioral contexts. Verification / Alternative check: Thesauri list headstrong with synonyms like obstinate, willful, stubborn—showing strong overlap. Why Other Options Are Wrong: A) “thick-headed” — intelligence insult, not willfulness.C) “robust” — physical/figurative strength, not attitude.D) “witty” — humor skill, unrelated. Common Pitfalls: Confusing stubbornness with lack of intelligence. A person can be clever and still be headstrong. Final Answer: obstinate

Question 7

VOCABULARY — Choose the best synonym (same meaning) of the highlighted word, based on the sentence.  Sentence: “As soon as he finished his speech, there was SPONTANEOUS applause from the audience.”

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: In event and audience contexts, “spontaneous” describes actions that arise naturally without planning or prompting. Applause that breaks out on its own is spontaneous because it is unpremeditated. This question asks for the closest synonym retaining that nuance. Given Data / Assumptions: The action is applause, occurring after a speech. Spontaneous here emphasizes unplanned origin, not merely speed. We need a synonym focusing on natural, unforced reaction. Concept / Approach: “Instinctive” means prompted by natural impulse, not deliberate thought—matching “spontaneous” as unpremeditated. “Instantaneous” stresses immediacy (very fast), which is not the key idea. “Well-timed” refers to appropriateness of timing, often planned. “Willing” describes readiness or consent, not the unplanned character of the applause. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Extract core sense: unplanned, arising naturally.2) Compare: “instinctive” mirrors that sense; “instantaneous” changes the focus to speed.3) Substitute: “there was instinctive applause” keeps the natural-reaction nuance.4) Reject planning- or timing-based distractors. Verification / Alternative check: Similar contexts use “spontaneous outburst,” “instinctive response”—both describe reactions without forethought, supporting synonymy. Why Other Options Are Wrong: A) “well-timed” — implies judgment and planning.B) “willing” — relates to consent, not spontaneity.D) “instantaneous” — speed, not origin. Common Pitfalls: Assuming “spontaneous” equals “instantaneous.” Something can be quick yet planned; spontaneity is about lack of premeditation. Final Answer: instinctive

Question 8

VOCABULARY — Choose the best synonym (same meaning) of the highlighted word, based on the sentence.  Sentence: “The president of the party DEPRECATED the move of the Government to introduce electoral reforms in haste.”

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: “Deprecate” in political commentary means to express disapproval of something. Here, a party president publicly disapproves of a government move. The test probes whether you can select a synonym that reflects voiced disapproval, not acceptance or unrelated actions. Given Data / Assumptions: The subject is a public stance on electoral reforms. “In haste” hints at criticism of the rushed process. We need a verb capturing the act of expressing disapproval. Concept / Approach: “Protested” best matches the sense of formally or publicly objecting. “Welcomed” is an antonym. “Denied” would mean to say something is not true, which is different from criticizing a decision. “Humiliated” describes causing someone to feel ashamed; it does not match the semantic role of the subject who is voicing disapproval. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Define target: deprecate = express disapproval.2) Map to action verb used in politics: protest (object publicly).3) Substitute test: “the president protested the move” reads naturally.4) Discard antonyms or misfit verbs. Verification / Alternative check: Editorials often use “deprecate,” “criticize,” “object to,” and “protest” interchangeably when describing official disapproval, confirming the equivalence. Why Other Options Are Wrong: A) “welcomed” — opposite meaning.B) “denied” — concerns truth claims, not approval.D) “humiliated” — wrong action and target. Common Pitfalls: Confusing “deprecate” with “depreciate.” The former is disapprove; the latter is to reduce in value. Final Answer: protested

Question 9

VOCABULARY — Choose the best synonym (same meaning) of the highlighted word, based on the sentence.  Sentence: “He found a LUCRATIVE assignment.”

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: “Lucrative” describes something that yields substantial profit or monetary gain. In professional settings, a “lucrative assignment” is an engagement that pays well. Your task is to pick the synonym that specifically captures financial reward, not just general quality. Given Data / Assumptions: The noun “assignment” suggests work or a project. The adjective focuses on financial return. We need a word that clearly signals profitability. Concept / Approach: “Profitable” directly denotes generating profit, aligning perfectly with “lucrative.” “Good” and “excellent” evaluate overall quality or satisfaction but do not necessarily imply high pay. “Significiant” is misspelled and even the correct “significant” would mean important, not profitable. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Extract target dimension: financial gain.2) Compare options: only “profitable” encodes money-making.3) Substitute: “a profitable assignment” preserves the intended meaning.4) Reject generic praise words and the misspelled distractor. Verification / Alternative check: Common collocations include “lucrative contract,” “lucrative market,” and “profitable venture,” showing clear overlap in usage. Why Other Options Are Wrong: A) “good” — vague; could be enjoyable or ethical.C) “excellent” — quality, not profit.D) “significiant” — misspelling; even “significant” ≠ profitable. Common Pitfalls: Equating positive evaluation with financial success. “Lucrative” is specifically about money. Final Answer: profitable

Question 10

VOCABULARY — Choose the best synonym (same meaning) of the highlighted definition, based on the sentence.  Sentence: “A person unrestrained by the rules of morality or tradition is called a LICENTIOUS person.”

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: “Licentious” describes someone who behaves without moral restraints, especially in sexual conduct, or who disregards accepted rules or conventions. This vocabulary item asks you to pick the best single-word label for such a person in traditional English usage. Given Data / Assumptions: The definition explicitly mentions lack of restraint by morality or tradition. We need a term historically used to label such a person. Distractors include words that shift to other domains (work habits, legality, employment type). Concept / Approach: “Libertine” is the established term for a person who is morally unrestrained, particularly in matters of sexual conduct, and who rejects conventional morality. “Loafer-type” refers to laziness, not moral freedom. “Criminal” implies legal transgression, which is narrower and different from moral laxity. “Freelance” relates to employment status and independence in work, not ethics. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Identify the moral-restraint axis as central.2) Match with “libertine,” the precise traditional label.3) Eliminate domain-mismatched options (employment, laziness, legality).4) Confirm that “libertine” is widely used in literature and criticism for this idea. Verification / Alternative check: Classic literature and dictionaries pair “licentious” with “libertine,” reinforcing the synonymy in ethical contexts. Why Other Options Are Wrong: B) “loafer-type” — connotes idleness, not moral looseness.C) “criminal” — legal category; many licentious acts are not necessarily crimes.D) “freelance” — work arrangement; irrelevant to morality. Common Pitfalls: Confusing legal wrong (criminal) with moral permissiveness (licentious). The prompt explicitly mentions morality and tradition. Final Answer: libertine

Question 11

VOCABULARY — Choose the best synonym (same meaning) of the highlighted word, based on the sentence.  Sentence: “The leader nodded his APPROBATION.”

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: “Approbation” is a formal noun meaning approval or praise, often used in political and ceremonial contexts. In the sentence, the leader’s nod signals consent or official approval. The task is to pick the closest everyday synonym that preserves this formal sense. Given Data / Assumptions: The act is a nod from a leader, implying consent/authorization. We seek the best single-word replacement recognized widely by learners. We must distinguish between approval and related but distinct responses like appreciation or admiration. Concept / Approach: “Approval” is the direct synonym, especially when someone in authority signals agreement. “Appreciation” expresses grateful recognition; “admiration” expresses esteem or wonder; “understanding” signals comprehension. Only “approval” captures the institutional/authoritative yes implicit in the nod. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Clarify action: a nod indicating consent.2) Map to noun: approbation = approval.3) Substitute: “nodded his approval” is a common idiom.4) Exclude near-synonyms that express different emotions or cognitive states. Verification / Alternative check: Standard collocations include “win the approbation of,” “with the approbation of the council,” directly parallel to “with the approval of.” Why Other Options Are Wrong: A) “understanding” — comprehension, not consent.C) “admiration” — esteem, not authorization.D) “appreciation” — gratitude, not formal approval. Common Pitfalls: Picking a pleasant-sounding noun like “admiration” without checking whether it means agreement or permission. “Approbation” is about approval. Final Answer: approval

Question 12

Synonyms – Choose the option that BEST expresses the meaning of the highlighted word in context. Sentence: When he returned, he was accompanied by a sprightly young girl.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The adjective “sprightly” is frequently used in literary and everyday English to describe someone who is full of energy, brisk, and lively—often with a cheerful or spirited manner. In this sentence, it modifies “young girl,” so the task is to select the single-word synonym that preserves that energetic, animated sense. Given Data / Assumptions: Target word: sprightly. Context: a person’s demeanor while accompanying someone. Goal: pick the closest meaning among the four options. Concept / Approach: When dealing with synonyms, focus on the core semantic feature. For “sprightly,” the core is vivacity and energy. It does not primarily evaluate beauty, intellect, or mere playfulness, but sustained animation and pep. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Identify semantic core: sprightly ≈ animated, lively, energetic.2) Compare options: “beautiful” (appearance), “lively” (energy), “intelligent” (cognition), “sportive” (playful).3) Map to context: describing a person’s manner as energetic fits “lively” best.4) Select “lively” as the precise synonym. Verification / Alternative check: Substitution test: “accompanied by a lively young girl” reads naturally, preserving tone and meaning. Thesaurus pairs such as “spry,” “vivacious,” and “animated” also align closely with “lively.” Why Other Options Are Wrong: beautiful: evaluates looks, not energy. intelligent: evaluates mental ability, not liveliness. sportive: suggests playful or frolicsome behavior; close in feel, but “lively” is the standard, broader synonym. Common Pitfalls: Equating “sprightly” with “pretty” due to positive tone; overemphasizing playfulness and choosing “sportive” even when general energy is intended. Final Answer: lively

Question 13

Vocabulary – Choose the option that BEST expresses the meaning of the highlighted word in context. Sentence: Being a member of this club, he has certain rights.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The noun “rights” in institutional or association contexts often overlaps with “privileges,” meaning benefits or entitlements granted by virtue of membership. The question asks for the closest replacement that maintains the sentence’s sense without distorting legal or moral nuance. Given Data / Assumptions: Noun to interpret: rights (arising from club membership). Context: benefits conferred by joining a club. Target: best single-word substitute within provided choices. Concept / Approach: Clubs and societies grant members specific entitlements—access, voting power, or facilities—commonly framed as “member rights” or “membership privileges.” Of the options, “privileges” captures the idea of granted entitlements most accurately. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Isolate meaning: rights here = entitlements for members.2) Compare: status (rank), truth (veracity), virtues (moral excellences), privileges (granted benefits).3) Match to club context: “privileges” aligns best.4) Finalize selection. Verification / Alternative check: Paraphrase: “As a member, he has certain privileges.” This remains idiomatic in membership policies and brochures. Why Other Options Are Wrong: status: denotes rank/standing, not entitlements. truth: unrelated to membership benefits. virtues: moral qualities, not institutional benefits. Common Pitfalls: Confusing social standing (“status”) with formal benefits; equating moral character (“virtues”) with organizational entitlements. Final Answer: privileges

Question 14

Phrasal Meaning – Choose the option that BEST captures the meaning of the highlighted expression. Sentence: Unable to endure the cruel ragging any longer, the new recruit bravely stood up to all his bullying seniors.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The phrasal expression “stood up to” means to face, oppose, or resist someone or something intimidating. It emphasizes refusing to be cowed rather than necessarily winning a fight. In anti-bullying contexts, it typically conveys firm opposition, courage, and refusal to submit. Given Data / Assumptions: Target phrase: stood up to. Context: a recruit confronting bullying seniors. We need the closest single-word paraphrase. Concept / Approach: “Stood up to” centers on resistance and confrontation. It does not guarantee victory (“defeated”), nor does it always imply physical retaliation (“fought back”). The most general and accurate synonym is “resisted.” Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Extract core sense: to oppose firmly and refuse to yield.2) Compare options: “resisted” (refused to give in), “fought back” (active counterattack), “challenged” (issued a challenge), “defeated” (won).3) Select the option that best fits broad usage: “resisted.”4) Confirm with context of bullying: resistance is the primary milestone. Verification / Alternative check: Substitution test: “bravely resisted all his bullying seniors” is natural and faithful to the original nuance. Why Other Options Are Wrong: challenged: focuses on issuing a challenge, not sustained opposition. fought back: can be correct in some contexts, but narrower; it implies counter-aggression rather than firm refusal. defeated: claims victory, which the sentence does not state. Common Pitfalls: Assuming “stood up to” equals “defeated”; thinking resistance always means fighting physically. Final Answer: resisted

Question 15

Vocabulary – Choose the option that BEST expresses the meaning of the highlighted word in context. Sentence: His style is quite transparent.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: When used for writing or speaking, “transparent” means easy to understand, clear, or straightforward—suggesting that the writer’s meaning passes through without obstruction. The task is to pick a synonym that preserves that clarity in stylistic evaluation. Given Data / Assumptions: Target word: transparent (figurative, in style). Domain: writing/speaking style evaluation. We need the closest single-word substitute. Concept / Approach: “Lucid” is the standard, high-frequency synonym for clear and easily understood prose. By contrast, “verbose” and “involved” suggest the opposite—wordy or complex—and “witty” focuses on humor, not clarity. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Fix the sense: transparent ≈ clear, easily understood.2) Evaluate choices: “lucid” matches exactly.3) Exclude antonymic or orthogonal traits: verbose/involved/witty.4) Choose “lucid.” Verification / Alternative check: Substitute: “His style is quite lucid.” It reads naturally in reviews and feedback. Why Other Options Are Wrong: verbose: excessively wordy; the opposite of concise clarity. involved: complicated or intricate; opposite direction. witty: humorous or clever; unrelated to clarity. Common Pitfalls: Conflating “transparent” with “simple-minded” (it does not imply lack of depth, only clarity). Final Answer: lucid

Question 16

Vocabulary – Choose the option that BEST expresses the meaning of the highlighted word in context. Sentence: The invasion force had no artillery and was completely annihilated.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: In military and historical writing, “annihilated” denotes total destruction or wiping out of a force. The sentence emphasizes that the lack of artillery led to a devastating outcome, so the closest general-English paraphrase should convey complete destruction. Given Data / Assumptions: Target word: annihilated. Context: outcome for an invasion force without artillery. We need the closest paraphrase. Concept / Approach: “Destroyed” most directly captures the sense of total defeat/eradication. Other choices either add incorrect physical nuance (“dismembered”), understate the magnitude (“reduced”), or mischaracterize the result as mere separation (“split”). Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Define annihilate: to destroy completely.2) Compare options for completeness of loss.3) Select “destroyed” as the faithful synonym.4) Validate with the causal clause about lacking artillery. Verification / Alternative check: Replace: “was completely destroyed” reads naturally and is widely used in battle reports and narratives. Why Other Options Are Wrong: dismembered: literal tearing apart; not the intended broad outcome. reduced: suggests shrinkage, not obliteration. split: implies division, not destruction. Common Pitfalls: Underestimating the intensifier “completely”; annihilation is categorical, not partial. Final Answer: destroyed

Question 17

Vocabulary – Choose the option that BEST expresses the meaning of the highlighted word in context. Sentence: The courage shown by the soldiers at this moment of crisis is exemplary.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: “Exemplary” describes something so good that it serves as an example, model, or ideal. When applied to courage, it praises an outstanding standard worthy of admiration and imitation. Given Data / Assumptions: Target word: exemplary. Context: soldiers’ courage during crisis. Need: closest synonym conveying evaluative praise. Concept / Approach: Among the options, “admirable” best reflects the praiseworthy, model quality implied by “exemplary.” “Suitable,” “clear,” and “elementary” do not capture moral or exemplary excellence. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Pin down sense: exemplary = worthy of imitation, laudable.2) Evaluate options for positive evaluative meaning.3) Select “admirable.”4) Confirm with context: valor in crisis invites admiration. Verification / Alternative check: Substitute: “courage … is admirable.” This is idiomatic in citations and commendations. Why Other Options Are Wrong: suitable: means appropriate, not model-worthy. clear: refers to clarity, not excellence. elementary: basic or rudimentary, opposite in tone. Common Pitfalls: Assuming “exemplary” means “example-based.” It means “serving as a model,” not “related to examples.” Final Answer: admirable

Question 18

Vocabulary – Choose the option that BEST expresses the meaning of the highlighted word in context. Sentence: Swift is known in the world of letters for his misogynism.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: “Misogynism” or “misogyny” refers to the hatred of, contempt for, or ingrained prejudice against women. In literary criticism, it is contrasted with “misandry” (hatred of men) and “misanthropy” (hatred of humankind). Given Data / Assumptions: Term to interpret: misogynism. Domain: literary reputation of Swift. Task: pick the precise definition from the choices. Concept / Approach: Disambiguate near-looking Greek roots: “miso-” (hate), “gynē” (woman), “andros” (man), “anthrōpos” (human). Therefore, misogynism = hatred of women. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Parse the root: miso + gyn.2) Map to English gloss: hate for womankind.3) Eliminate distractors that confuse “man,” “human,” or “love.”4) Select the accurate definition. Verification / Alternative check: Related terms: misanthropy = hate for humankind; misandry = hate for men; philogyny = love of women. This confirms the mapping. Why Other Options Are Wrong: hate for mankind: that is misanthropy. love for the reasonable: irrelevant phrase. love for the womankind: opposite polarity. Common Pitfalls: Mixing up “misanthropy” and “misogyny” because both begin with “mis-”. The second morpheme is decisive. Final Answer: hate for womankind

Question 19

Vocabulary – Choose the option that BEST expresses the meaning of the highlighted word in context. Sentence: The indiscriminate demand for mass consumption goods is deplorable.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: “Indiscriminate” means done without careful choice, selection, or distinction. In economics or policy discussions, an indiscriminate demand implies buying or urging consumption without considering quality, need, or priority. Given Data / Assumptions: Target word: indiscriminate. Context: demand for mass consumption goods. Aim: closest single-word synonym among options. Concept / Approach: The core feature is the lack of discrimination (no distinction). Hence “undifferentiated” is the best fit. “Discreet” is a false friend (means tactful); “desperate” focuses on urgency; “insensitive” targets lack of feeling, not selection. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Reduce to essence: indiscriminate = without distinction/selection.2) Compare candidates: “undifferentiated” retains the selectionlessness.3) Eliminate distractors with different semantic axes.4) Choose “undifferentiated.” Verification / Alternative check: Paraphrase: “The undifferentiated demand … is deplorable.” This is idiomatic in policy critique. Why Other Options Are Wrong: desperate: denotes urgent need, not lack of selection. discreet: means tactful; near-homograph but unrelated. insensitive: emotional/ethical dimension, not selection criteria. Common Pitfalls: Confusing “indiscriminate” with “indiscreet”; the latter means lacking prudence in revealing information. Final Answer: undifferentiated

Synonyms Questions