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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.
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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, select No improvement.

    The questions are so simple that a child can understand it .

  2. 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.

    Even children shrink away from food thinking that they should become  overweight.

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

    The weather reports is prepared by the Meteorological Department of the Government.

  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.

    He decided to leave very quickly the hotel.

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

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