All Exams Test series for 1 year @ ₹349 only
Question

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

Some people complain when they encounter a small misfortune in the course of their thoroughly happy life

This question was previously asked in
NDA II 2019 GAT Previous Year Paper (17-Nov-2019)
The correct answer is

run into

Understanding the Meaning of 'Encounter'

The question asks us to find the word or group of words that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word 'encounter' in the given sentence:

Some people complain when they encounter a small misfortune in the course of their thoroughly happy life.

Let's break down the meaning of 'encounter' in this context.

The word 'encounter' means to meet someone or something unexpectedly, or to experience a difficulty or problem. In the sentence, 'encounter' is used to describe what happens when people face a 'small misfortune'. This implies experiencing or coming across something, often negative, unexpectedly.

Analyzing the Options

We need to examine each option to see which one is closest in meaning to 'encounter' as used in the sentence.

  • 1. run into: This phrase has multiple meanings, including meeting someone unexpectedly, or experiencing something unexpectedly, especially a problem or difficulty. For example, "We ran into trouble." or "I ran into an old friend." This meaning aligns well with 'encountering a small misfortune'.
  • 2. run away: This means to leave a place or person quickly because you are frightened or unhappy. This is not related to experiencing a misfortune.
  • 3. run down: This phrase has several meanings, such as criticizing someone, hitting something with a vehicle, or losing power (for a battery or machine). None of these meanings are close to experiencing a misfortune.
  • 4. run with: This means to accompany someone while running or to accept and act according to an idea or plan. This is not related to experiencing a misfortune.

Determining the Nearest Meaning

Comparing 'encounter' (meaning to experience or meet unexpectedly) with the given options:

  • 'run into' can mean to experience something unexpectedly, like a problem or misfortune.
  • 'run away' means to flee.
  • 'run down' means to criticize, hit, or lose power.
  • 'run with' means to accompany or accept an idea.

Clearly, 'run into' is the phrase that is nearest in meaning to 'encounter' in the context of experiencing a misfortune.

Conclusion

Based on the analysis of the meanings of 'encounter' and the given options, the phrase 'run into' is the best fit as it conveys the idea of unexpectedly experiencing a difficulty or misfortune.

Revision Table: Understanding Vocabulary

Word/Phrase Meaning in Context Related Concepts
Encounter To experience or meet unexpectedly (e.g., a problem) Meeting, Experiencing, Confronting
Run into To experience or meet unexpectedly (e.g., a problem) Facing, Dealing with, Hitting (a problem)
Run away To flee from something Escaping, Avoiding
Run down To criticize, or lose power Criticism, Deterioration
Run with To accompany or accept Following, Adopting

Additional Information on Phrasal Verbs

Phrasal verbs like 'run into', 'run away', 'run down', and 'run with' are common in English. They combine a verb (like 'run') with a preposition or adverb (like 'into', 'away', 'down', 'with') to create a new meaning. The meaning of the phrasal verb is often quite different from the meaning of the individual words.

Learning phrasal verbs is important for understanding and using English naturally. The same phrasal verb can sometimes have multiple meanings depending on the context, as seen with 'run into' (meet a person unexpectedly vs. experience a problem).

To improve your vocabulary, especially with phrasal verbs, it's helpful to:

  • See them used in sentences.
  • Look up their meanings in a dictionary, noting different contexts.
  • Practice using them in your own sentences.
Was this answer helpful?

Similar Questions

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

    The Arabs who are not in the cities live in the desert throughout the year, shifting from one oasis to another.

  2. In this section, look at underlined part of each sentence. There are three possible substitutions for the underlined part. If one of them (a), (b) or (c) is better than the underlined part, indicate your response on the Answer Sheet against the corresponding letter (a), (b), or (c). If none of the substitutions improves the sentence, indicate (d) as your response on the Answer Sheet. Thus a 'No improvement' response will be signified by the letter (D).

    He ought not to tell me your secret, but he did.

  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”.

    Although India is still by far  a poor country, it can become rich if its natural and human resources are fully utilized.

  4. Direction: Look at the underlined part of each sentence. Below each sentence is given three possible substitutions for the underlined part. If one of them, a), b) or c), is better than the underlined part, indicate your response on the Answer Sheet against the corresponding letter a), b) or c). If none of the substitutions improve the sentence, indicate d) as your response on the Answer Sheet. Thus a ‘No improvement’ response will be signified by the letter d).

    The more they earn, more they spend .

  5. In the question below, a part of the sentence has been underlined. Below are given the alternatives to the underlined part which may improve the sentence. Choose the correct alternative. If the sentence needs no improvement, choose ‘No Improvement’ as your answer.

    But in all these cases conversion from one scale to another is easy because scales have well-formulated .

  6. 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”.

    Five years ago on this date, I am sitting  in a small Japanese car, driving across Poland towards Berlin.

  7. In the question below, a part of the sentence has been underlined. Below are given the alternatives to the underlined part which may improve the sentence. Choose the correct alternative. If the sentence needs no improvement, choose ‘No Improvement’ as your answer.

    The old man felled some trees in the garden with hardly no effort  at all.

  8. In the question below, a part of the sentence has been underlined. Below are given the alternatives to the underlined part which may improve the sentence. Choose the correct alternative. If the sentence needs no improvement, choose ‘No Improvement’ as your answer.

    She says she's already paid me back, but I can't remember, so I'll have to take her word .

  9. In the question below, a part of the sentence has been underlined. Below are given the alternatives to the underlined part which may improve the sentence. Choose the correct alternative. If the sentence needs no improvement, choose ‘No Improvement’ as your answer.

    The workers are hell-bent at getting  what is due to them.

  10. Direction: Look at the underlined part of each sentence. Below each sentence is given three possible substitutions for the underlined part. If one of them, a), b) or c), is better than the underlined part, indicate your response on the Answer Sheet against the corresponding letter a), b) or c). If none of the substitutions improve the sentence, indicate d) as your response on the Answer Sheet. Thus a ‘No improvement’ response will be signified by the letter d).

    You are warned against committing  the same mistake again.


Important Questions from Phrase Replacement

  1. Select the most appropriate option to substitute the underlined segment in the given sentence. If there is no need to substitute it, No substitution required.

    Not knowing the language and having no acquaintances in the city, he found it hard getting work.

  2. Select the most appropriate option to substitute the underlined segment in the given sentence. If there is no need to substitute it, select option No substitution required.

    We had been almost halfway there when the left rear tyre blew out

  3. Select the most appropriate option to substitute the underlined segment in the given sentence. If there is no need to substitute it, select option No substitution required.

    The man spent a lot because he had so large amount of money.

  4. Select the most appropriate option to substitute the underlined segment in the given sentence. If there is no need to substitute it, select ‘No improvement’.

    In the past, promises have been made, kept, and broken, and they are being make yet again.

  5. Select the most appropriate option to substitute the underlined segment in the given sentence. If there is no need to substitute it, select ‘No improvement’.

    September is one of the busiest months of the year, with a range of different tasks at hand

Need Expert Advice?
Test Series
NDA img
Defence
NDA 2026 Mock Test Series (Latest Pattern)
503 Tests 1 Tests Free
1139 Attempts
4.6(139)
English, Hindi

Start Your Preparation with Prepp Mobile App

Download the app from Google Play & App Store
Download the app from Google Play & App Store
Prepp Mobile App