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Question

Direction: Select the most appropriate option that can substitute the underlined words in the given sentence.

He did not stop until it was remarked that he was speaking at length about trivial things.

This question was previously asked in
SSC CGL 2023 (Tier-II) Paper 1 Previous Year Paper (26-Oct-2023) (Shift-1)
The correct answer is

rambling

Understanding the Phrase to Substitute

The question asks us to find a single word that can replace the phrase "speaking at length about trivial things" in the given sentence: "He did not stop until it was remarked that he was speaking at length about trivial things."

The phrase "speaking at length about trivial things" means talking for a long time about matters that are not important or serious. We need to find a word that concisely expresses this idea.

Analyzing the Options

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

  • twittering: This usually refers to the sounds made by birds. It can also metaphorically mean talking in a light, rapid, and often inconsequential way, but it doesn't strongly convey the idea of speaking "at length" about "trivial things" specifically.
  • writing: This means putting words on paper or a screen. The original phrase is about speaking, not writing. So, this option is incorrect.
  • rambling: This means talking or writing at length in a confused or inconsequential way. It perfectly captures the idea of speaking for a long time about unimportant or trivial topics.
  • littering: This means dropping trash in a public place. This is completely unrelated to speaking. So, this option is incorrect.

Selecting the Most Appropriate Substitute

Based on the analysis of the options, the word that best fits the meaning of "speaking at length about trivial things" is "rambling". When someone is rambling, they are talking for a long time, often jumping from one topic to another or focusing on unimportant details, just like speaking at length about trivial things.

Replacing the underlined phrase with "rambling" gives us: "He did not stop until it was remarked that he was rambling." This revised sentence maintains the original meaning clearly and concisely.

Revision Table: Word Meanings

Word Meaning Relevance to "Speaking at Length About Trivial Things"
twittering Light, rapid talk or bird sounds Some overlap in triviality, but not specifically about length or the type of trivial topics.
writing Putting words on paper/screen Incorrect; the phrase is about speaking.
rambling Talking at length confusedly or about unimportant things Strong fit; includes both "at length" and "trivial things".
littering Dropping trash Incorrect; unrelated to speaking.

Additional Information: Understanding Vocabulary in Context

Choosing the correct word to substitute a phrase often depends heavily on understanding the context of the sentence and the precise meaning of both the original phrase and the potential substitute words. Vocabulary questions test your ability to identify synonyms or words that capture the essence of a more extended description.

In this case, the context makes it clear that the speaking was lengthy and focused on trivial matters, leading to the conclusion that "rambling" is the most suitable replacement. Understanding common idioms and idiomatic phrases is also crucial for these types of questions.

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Important Questions from Phrase Replacement

  1. In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the alternative which will improve the underlined part of the sentence. In case no improvement is needed, select “No improvement”

    My old teacher gave many poor students money in spite of he was poor.

  2. In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the alternative which will improve the underlined part of the sentence. In case no improvement is needed, select “No improvement”.

    You should to read the newspaper regularly if you want to be well-informed.

  3. In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the alternative which will improve the underlined part of the sentence. In case no improvement is needed, select “No improvement”.

    If he had listening to me he would not have got lost.

  4. In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the alternative which will improve the underlined part of the sentence. In case no improvement is needed, select “No improvement”

    He asked for a bank loan also he didn't have sufficient resources.

  5. In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the alternative which will improve the underlined part of the sentence. In case no improvement is needed, select “No improvement”.

    I went to the shop to buy some stationeries .

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