Directions: Each item in this section consists of a sentence with an underlined word/words followed by four words. Select the option that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word and mark your response accordingly. He was too cunning for her.
dodgy
Understanding the Meaning of 'Cunning'
The question asks us to find the word that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word "cunning" in the sentence "He was too cunning for her." Let's analyze the meaning of "cunning" and compare it with the given options.
What Does 'Cunning' Mean?
'Cunning' describes someone who is skilled at deceiving or tricking others. It implies a cleverness that is used in a sly or dishonest way to achieve a goal. A cunning person is often good at planning things secretly and manipulating situations or people to their advantage.
Analyzing the Options for 'Cunning'
Let's look at the provided options and see which one is closest in meaning to 'cunning':
- capable: This means having the ability or skill to do something. While a cunning person might be capable, capability itself doesn't inherently involve deception or trickery. So, it's not the nearest meaning.
- fir: This refers to a type of evergreen tree. This word has no relation to personality traits or cleverness, so it is clearly incorrect.
- intelligent: This means having a high level of mental ability, learning, and understanding. Cunning people are often intelligent, but intelligence is a general term for mental capacity, whereas cunning specifically refers to the use of intelligence for deceptive purposes. It's related but not the nearest synonym for the negative connotation of cunning.
- dodgy: This word can mean evasive, shifty, unreliable, or dishonest. It often describes someone who is perceived as tricky or untrustworthy, possibly engaging in deceitful practices. This aligns closely with the core meaning of 'cunning', which involves being sly and potentially dishonest in achieving aims.
Comparing the options, 'dodgy' captures the sense of being shifty, unreliable, or potentially dishonest, which is very close to the meaning of being cleverly deceptive or tricky that 'cunning' conveys.
Conclusion: Finding the Nearest Meaning
Based on the analysis of the word 'cunning' and the options, 'dodgy' is the word that is nearest in meaning because it shares the connotation of being tricky, unreliable, or deceitful, which are key aspects of being cunning.
| Word | Meaning | Nearest to 'Cunning'? |
|---|---|---|
| Cunning | Skilled at deceiving; sly and tricky. | - |
| Capable | Having ability or skill. | No (too general) |
| Fir | Type of tree. | No (irrelevant) |
| Intelligent | Having mental ability. | No (lacks deceit connotation) |
| Dodgy | Evasive, shifty, unreliable, dishonest. | Yes (shares deceit/trickiness) |
Revision Table: Key Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning | Example Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Cunning | Clever and skilled at deceiving others; sly. | The fox was too cunning to be caught in the trap. |
| Capable | Having the ability or quality necessary to do something. | She is a capable student who learns quickly. |
| Dodgy | Dishonest or unreliable; potentially dangerous or tricky. | He made some dodgy investments that lost him money. |
| Intelligent | Having or showing intelligence, especially of a high level. | She is a highly intelligent scientist. |
Additional Information: Synonyms and Context
Understanding synonyms and how words are used in different contexts can help clarify their meanings.
Synonyms for Cunning:
Some synonyms for cunning include:
- Sly
- Crafty
- Wily
- Shrewd (can be positive or negative depending on context)
- Deceitful
- Tricky
Shades of Meaning:
Words like 'intelligent' or 'shrewd' can sometimes overlap with 'cunning', but 'cunning' specifically highlights the use of cleverness for self-serving or deceptive purposes, often with a negative connotation. 'Dodgy' also carries this negative connotation and implies unreliability or potential dishonesty stemming from such trickiness.
Important Questions from Synonyms or Antonyms
Directions: Each item in this section consists of a sentence with an underlined word followed by four options, (a), (b), (c) and (d). Select the option that is opposite in meaning to the underlined word and mark your response accordingly.
He had the audacity to blame him.
Directions: Each item in this section consists of a sentence with an underlined word followed by four options, (a), (b), (c) and (d). Select the option that is opposite in meaning to the underlined word and mark your response accordingly.
There is exponential growth in the development of the scientific researches in the recent few decades.
Directions : Item in this section consists of a sentence with an underlined word followed by four words/group of words (a), (b), (c) and (d). Select the option that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word and mark your response in the Answer Sheet accordingly.
The itinerary of the group’s visit to the hills was given to everyone.
Directions : Item in this section consists of a sentence with an underlined word followed by four words/group of words (a), (b), (c) and (d). Select the option that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word and mark your response in the Answer Sheet accordingly.
All mortal elements are impermanent.
Directions : Item in this section consists of a sentence with an underlined word followed by four words (a), (b), (c) and (d). Select the option that is opposite in meaning to the underlined word and mark your response in the Answer Sheet accordingly.
The novel depicts the hapless status of certain sections of society.
