SYNONYMS — PRACTICE SET-17 — SOLVED

1. Nearly half of India’s population is still living in abject poverty.
A) wretched      B) enough
C) grave      D) solid

2. Defection is quite common in our present day political life.
A) disloyalty      B) desertion
C) disobedience      D) indiscipline

3. He gave me a detailed account of the meeting.
A) report      B) summary
C) précis      D) explanation

4. No civilized society can allow the subversion of its institutions by extremists.
A) absorption      B) destruction
C) domination      D) subordination

5. The isolated and dilapidated palace has become a rendezvous for the unsocial elements.
A) resort      B) hiding place
C) meeting place      D) public place

6. The story began in an eerie situation.
A) dangerous      B) strange
C) thrilling      D) wonderful

7. The recent acts of vandalism in the country cannot be ignored.
A) disturbance      B) provocation
C) violence      D) ravage

8. She looked gorgeous in her new dress.
A) fantastic      B) great
C) splendid      D) silly

9. Slangs in a language are usually ephemeral in nature.
A) transient      B) customary
C) necessary      D) obvious

10. He is just dabbling in politics to promote his business interests.
A) helping      B) including
C) participating      D) interfering

11. He is averse to the idea of holding elections now.
A) convinced      B) angry
C) opposed      D) indifferent

12. The government must do something about the runaway increase in prices.
A) uncontrollable      B) unreasonable
C) inflationary      D) unpardonable

13. The value of some shares has appreciated considerably after the last budget.
A) changed      B) increased
C) crashed      D) decreased

14. Our posterity shall hold us responsible for the devastation caused by cutting of trees.
A) predecessors      B) successors
C) offspring      D) followers

15. He is considered by everyone as a man of integrity.
A) character      B) power
C) wealth      D) influence

ANSWER KEY 

Solution with explanation

1. Option ‘A’ (wretched). WRETCHED = of poor quality; very bad

2. Option ‘B’ (desertion). DESRETION = the act of leaving someone behind in a difficult situation

4. Option ‘B’ (destruction). SUBVERSION = the act of  trying to destroy  or damage  an  established  system or government; e.g.

He was found guilty of subversion and imprisoned.

8. Option ‘C’ (splendid). SPLENDID = excellent, or beautiful and impressive; e.g.

a) We had splendid food.
b) You look splendid in that outfit

9. Option ‘A’ (transient). TRANSIENT = lasting for only a short time; temporary; e.g.

A glass  of  whisky has only a transient warming effect.

14. Option ‘B’ (successors). SUCCESSORS = someone or something that comes after another person or thing; e.g.

a) The university is seeking a successor to its vice chancellor, who retires this spring.
b) This range of computers is very fast, but their successors will be even faster.

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