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Question

Direction: Each item in this section consists of a sentence with an underlined word followed by four words/group of words. Select the option that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word and mark your response on the Answer Sheet accordingly.

He is such a leader that his actions are contagious .

This question was previously asked in
CDS I 2020 Elementary Mathematics Previous Year Paper (02-Feb-2020)
The correct answer is

transmittable

Finding the Nearest Meaning of Contagious

The question asks us to find the word or group of words nearest in meaning to the underlined word "contagious" as used in the sentence: "He is such a leader that his actions are contagious."

In this sentence, the word "contagious" is used figuratively. While "contagious" often refers to diseases that spread from person to person through contact, when applied to actions, ideas, or emotions, it means something that spreads easily or influences others to do the same or feel the same way.

Analyzing the Options

Let's look at the given options and their meanings:

  • Complicated: Means intricate, complex, or difficult to understand or deal with. This does not relate to something spreading easily.
  • Transmittable: Means able to be passed on or transferred from one person or place to another. This meaning aligns closely with the idea of something spreading or influencing others.
  • Effective: Means successful in producing a desired or intended result. This relates to the outcome or impact of the actions, not necessarily how they spread.
  • Unthinkable: Means impossible to imagine or contemplate; extremely unlikely or undesirable. This is completely unrelated to the idea of spreading.

Identifying the Closest Synonym for Contagious Actions

Considering the figurative use of "contagious" in the sentence about a leader's actions, we are looking for a word that means the actions tend to spread or influence others. The option that best captures this meaning is "transmittable," as it implies the ability of the actions or their effects to be passed on or spread among people.

Comparison of Meanings
Word Meaning Relevance to "Contagious Actions"
Contagious (in this context) Spreading easily from person to person; influencing others to follow or imitate. This is the word we need to find the nearest meaning for.
Complicated Difficult to understand. Not related to spreading.
Transmittable Able to be passed on or spread. Closely matches the idea of actions spreading influence.
Effective Successful in result. Related to impact, not how it spreads.
Unthinkable Impossible to imagine. No relation to spreading.

Therefore, "transmittable" is the word nearest in meaning to "contagious" when describing a leader's actions that influence others and spread.

Revision Table: Understanding Contagious Meanings

Key Vocabulary and Definitions
Word Primary Meaning (Medical) Figurative Meaning (Actions/Ideas) Nearest Synonym in Context
Contagious Spreading by contact (e.g., a disease). Spreading or influencing others easily (e.g., enthusiasm, laughter, actions). Transmittable
Transmittable Able to be passed on or spread. Able to be passed on or spread. -

Additional Information: Contagious in Different Contexts

The word "contagious" is most commonly associated with the medical field, referring to infectious diseases that spread through direct or indirect contact. For example, "The flu is a contagious illness."

However, "contagious" is frequently used metaphorically to describe things that spread quickly or easily through a group of people, often influencing behavior or feelings. Examples include:

  • Contagious laughter (laughter that makes others laugh)
  • Contagious enthusiasm (enthusiasm that spreads to others)
  • Contagious yawns (yawns that trigger yawns in others)
  • Contagious actions or ideas (actions or ideas that others adopt or imitate)

In the given sentence, the leader's actions are described as contagious, implying they are influencing others to act in a similar way or that the effects of the actions are spreading through the group. This figurative sense aligns directly with the meaning of "transmittable," which means capable of being passed on or spread.

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