Read the passage given below and then answer the questions given below the passage. About six crore people every year, or 7,000 people per hour, slip into poverty in India due to healthcare expenses, Ayushman Bharat- Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana CEO Indu Bhushan said Saturday. AB-PMJAY Chief Executive Officer Indu Bhushan was speaking at a health conference organised by the Goa Institute of Management. The Ayushman Bharat-PMJAY programme launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 23 is touted as the world's largest government funded healthcare programme aimed at benefiting 50 crore people. Mr Bhushan hailed the country's efforts in reducing poverty, but said, "At the same time, we see that about six crore fall into poverty every year because of catastrophic healthcare expenses. I was astounded by the number. Six crore people means 7,000 people every hour." Calling the situation a "leaking bucket", he said, "Though a lot of effort is being put to bring people out of poverty, due to health expenses, people are slipping into poverty; which is puzzling." Speaking about what he termed were paradoxes in the last 70 years in India's health sector, Mr Bhushan said, "One of the major paradoxes is that 70 per cent health needs of the country are supported by the private sector and only 30 per cent by the public sector." Talking about other ironies, he said people from abroad were flying to India to get quality medical treatment at cheap rates, while large sections of its own citizens didn't have access to good health facilities. The AB-PMJAY CEO pointed out that despite India emerging as fastest growing (major) economy in the world, its budgetary provision for health had remained stagnant at 1-1.4 per cent over the years.
Consider the following word from the passage. Which of the following options give a word with similar meaning? Astounded
Flabbergasted
The question asks us to identify a word with a similar meaning to "Astounded" from the given passage. To answer this, we need to understand the meaning of "Astounded" and then compare it with the meanings of the provided options.
Astounded: Understanding the Meaning
The word "Astounded" means to be greatly surprised, shocked, or amazed. In the passage, Mr. Bhushan says, "I was astounded by the number. Six crore people means 7,000 people every hour." This indicates his extreme surprise and shock at the large number of people slipping into poverty due to healthcare expenses.
Synonym Analysis: Exploring Options
Let's look at each option and its meaning to find the best fit for "Astounded":
- Recalcitrant: This word describes someone who is stubbornly uncooperative, disobedient, or resistant to authority. This meaning is not related to being surprised or shocked.
- Irreverent: This word means showing a lack of respect for things that are generally taken seriously. It implies disrespect or mockery, which is different from being surprised.
- Barbaric: This word describes something savagely cruel, uncivilized, or extremely brutal. This meaning has no connection to the feeling of astonishment.
- Flabbergasted: This word means to be surprised so greatly that one is speechless; utterly astounded. It conveys a strong sense of shock, amazement, and surprise, which is exactly what "Astounded" means.
- Expedited: This word means to make an action or process happen sooner or be accomplished more quickly. It relates to speed or efficiency, not to surprise or shock.
Flabbergasted: The Closest Synonym for Astounded
Comparing the meanings, it is clear that "Flabbergasted" is the closest synonym for "Astounded". Both words describe a state of extreme surprise, shock, or amazement, often to the point of being overwhelmed or speechless. When Mr. Bhushan was "astounded" by the number, it means he was deeply shocked and surprised, much like someone who is "flabbergasted".
Conclusion: Identifying the Correct Synonym
Based on the analysis of the meanings, "Flabbergasted" is the word that shares a similar meaning with "Astounded".
Important Questions from Reading Comprehension
Why, according to the writer can't people be motivated to use a resource prudently?
1. They feel that others may overuse the resource
2. It is possible to substitute the resource
3. Abundance of the resource availability
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
When do people use resources exhaustively?
The self-interest of people affects the use of renewable resources
People rooted in a locality
Which among the following is closest in meaning with the word 'deplete'?
