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Question

Direction: Each of the following sentences in this section has a blank space and four words or group of words given after the sentence. Select the word or group of words you consider most appropriate for the blank space and indicate your response on the Answer Sheet accordingly.

The tired traveller ______ on in the hope of finding some resting place.

This question was previously asked in
NDA I 2018 GAT Previous Year Paper (22-Apr-2018)
The correct answer is

plodded

Understanding the Movement of a Tired Traveller

The question asks us to choose the most appropriate word to fill the blank in the sentence: "The tired traveller ______ on in the hope of finding some resting place." We need a word that describes how a person who is tired would likely move while still trying to reach a destination.

Analysing the Options for the Tired Traveller

Let's look at the meaning of each option provided:

  • strolled: To walk in a leisurely or unhurried way. This implies relaxation and enjoyment, which is unlikely for a tired traveller urgently seeking rest.
  • scurried: To move with short, rapid steps, typically in a hurried way. This suggests speed or perhaps nervousness, not the slow, heavy movement associated with fatigue.
  • paraded: To walk or march in a formal procession or show, often publicly. This word is completely unrelated to the simple act of a single traveller moving on.
  • plodded: To walk doggedly and laboriously. This word perfectly describes the action of moving slowly and heavily, especially when tired or burdened, but continuing with effort.

Considering the context of a "tired traveller" who is hoping to find a "resting place," the movement is likely to be slow, heavy, and perhaps a bit weary, but persistent. The word that best fits this description is "plodded."

Why 'Plodded' Fits the Tired Traveller

When someone is tired, they don't usually move quickly or lightly. They move slowly, putting one foot heavily in front of the other, especially when they have been travelling for a long time and are looking for rest. "Plodded" captures this exact kind of slow, determined, and weary movement. The traveller is tired, but they are still "plodding on," meaning they are continuing despite their fatigue, driven by the hope of finding a place to rest.

Let's compare how each word feels in the sentence:

  • The tired traveller strolled on... (Doesn't sound right, tired people don't stroll)
  • The tired traveller scurried on... (Doesn't sound right, scurrying is too fast for someone tired)
  • The tired traveller paraded on... (Completely wrong context)
  • The tired traveller plodded on... (Sounds correct, fits the image of a tired person moving slowly but surely)

Therefore, "plodded" is the most appropriate word to describe how a tired traveller would move on in the hope of finding some rest.

Completed Sentence

The completed sentence is:

The tired traveller plodded on in the hope of finding some resting place.

Option Meaning Fits "Tired Traveller"?
strolled walked leisurely No
scurried moved quickly with short steps No
paraded walked formally in procession No
plodded walked slowly and heavily Yes

Revision Table: Key Vocabulary for Movement

Word Meaning Context Example
Plod To walk heavily and slowly He had to plod through the deep snow.
Stroll To walk in a relaxed way They went for a pleasant stroll in the park.
Scurry To move quickly with short steps The mouse scurried across the floor.
Parade A public procession or to walk in one The band will parade down the main street.
Trudge To walk slowly and with heavy steps, typically because of exhaustion or harsh conditions We had to trudge up the steep hill.

Additional Information: Describing Movement in English

English has many words to describe different ways of walking or moving, each conveying a specific speed, effort, or mood. Choosing the right verb can make writing much more descriptive and precise. Here are a few examples:

  • Stride: To walk with long, decisive steps (often confidently).
  • Shuffle: To walk by dragging one's feet without lifting them properly (often due to tiredness or infirmity).
  • March: To walk with regular, measured steps, often in a formal group.
  • Limp: To walk with difficulty because of a stiff or injured leg or foot.
  • Ramble: To walk for pleasure, typically without a definite route.

Understanding the subtle differences between these words is key to selecting the best fit in sentences like the one about the tired traveller. The context (tiredness, hope for rest) strongly dictates the most appropriate word.

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Similar Questions

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Important Questions from Fill in the Blanks

  1. Directions: Fill in the blanks with the word that best completes the sentence.

    With a less rapid expansion of the economy, we should make________ progress toward stable price levels.

  2. Directions: Fill in the blanks with the word that best completes the sentence.

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  5. Each of the following sentences has a blank space and four words are given below it. Select the word or group of words you consider most appropriate for the blank space and indicate your response accordingly.

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