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. It is terrible for people to die of starvation .
hunger
Understanding the Meaning of Starvation
The question asks us to find the word or group of words that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word starvation in the sentence: "It is terrible for people to die of starvation."
Let's first understand the meaning of starvation.
Starvation refers to suffering or death caused by having nothing to eat or not enough to eat for a long period. It is an extreme lack of food.
Analyzing the Options for Nearest Meaning
Now let's look at the given options and their meanings:
- starch: This refers to a carbohydrate food substance found in potatoes, rice, maize, etc., or a substance used to stiffen clothes. It is a type of food, not the condition of lacking food.
- staple: This can refer to a main or important element of something, particularly a staple food which is a food that is eaten regularly and in such quantities as to constitute the dominant part of the diet and supply a major proportion of energy and nutrient needs. It is a type of food or an important element, not the condition of lacking food.
- plenty: This means a large or sufficient amount. It indicates abundance, which is the opposite of lack of food.
- hunger: This is a feeling of discomfort or weakness caused by lack of food, coupled with the desire to eat. Extreme or prolonged hunger can lead to starvation. While hunger is the feeling or desire for food, starvation is the severe suffering or death resulting from a complete lack of food. Hunger is the closest feeling or state that precedes starvation and is directly related to the need for food.
Comparing the meanings, hunger is the state of needing food, and starvation is the severe consequence of that need not being met over time, potentially leading to death. Therefore, hunger is the nearest meaning among the given options as it represents the fundamental feeling or state related to the lack of food that causes starvation.
Conclusion on Nearest Meaning
Based on the analysis of the meanings, hunger is the word nearest in meaning to starvation as starvation is the extreme result of prolonged hunger or lack of food.
| Word | Meaning | Relation to Starvation |
|---|---|---|
| Starvation | Suffering or death caused by extreme lack of food. | The core term. |
| Starch | A type of carbohydrate/food substance. | Not related to the lack of food. |
| Staple | A main food or important element. | Not related to the lack of food. |
| Plenty | A large or sufficient amount; abundance. | Opposite of lack of food. |
| Hunger | Discomfort/desire caused by lack of food. | The state/feeling that leads to starvation when prolonged and severe. |
Revision Table: Key Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Starvation | Severe suffering or death from lack of food. |
| Hunger | Feeling of discomfort or weakness from lack of food; desire to eat. |
| Starch | A carbohydrate found in foods like potatoes and rice. |
| Staple (food) | A main food eaten regularly. |
| Plenty | Abundance; more than enough. |
Additional Information: Vocabulary Building
Understanding synonyms and related concepts is crucial for improving vocabulary and performance in language sections of exams. Words like starvation and hunger are related in intensity. Hunger is a feeling or state, while starvation is a severe outcome. Other related words might include:
- Malnutrition: Poor nutrition; lack of proper nourishment.
- Famine: Extreme scarcity of food.
- Deprivation: The state of being kept from possessing, enjoying, or using something.
- Craving: An intense desire for something, often food or drink.
Paying attention to the subtle differences in meaning between related words helps in choosing the most appropriate word in context.
Similar Questions
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.
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.
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.
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 .
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 .
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.
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.
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 .
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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
