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Question

Directions: Each item in this section consists of sentences with an underlined word followed by four words or group of words. Select the option that is opposite in meaning to the underlined word and mark your response on the answer sheet accordingly.

The emperor as a centralised entity indisputably went beyond regional conflicts and fostered a certain mode of elite culture.

This question was previously asked in
CDS I 2023 English Previous Year Paper (16-April-2023)
The correct answer is

suppressed

Understanding the Antonym of Fostered

The question asks us to find the word that is opposite in meaning to the underlined word "fostered" in the given sentence. The sentence states: "The emperor as a centralised entity indisputably went beyond regional conflicts and fostered a certain mode of elite culture."

The word "fostered" in this context means to encourage the development of something, to promote it, or to help it grow. The emperor is described as promoting or nurturing a specific type of elite culture.

Analyzing the Options for Antonym of Fostered

Let's look at the meanings of the given options:

  • cultivated: This means to develop or refine something, often skills, knowledge, or culture. This is similar in meaning to "fostered," as it involves development.
  • endorsed: This means to approve or support something publicly. While endorsing can lead to fostering, it's more about approval than actively nurturing development. It is still closer to the meaning of fostered than its opposite.
  • suppressed: This means to put an end to something, to prevent its development, or to inhibit its growth or expression. This is the direct opposite of encouraging or promoting development.
  • incubated: This term literally means to keep something warm to help it develop, like eggs. Figuratively, it means to develop slowly or keep an idea in mind before acting on it. This also involves development or growth, making it closer to "fostered" than its opposite.

Identifying the Correct Antonym

We are looking for the word that means the opposite of encouraging or promoting development ("fostered"). Comparing the options, "suppressed" means to stop or prevent development. Therefore, "suppressed" is the most suitable antonym for "fostered" in the context of the sentence describing the emperor's action regarding elite culture.

The emperor fostered elite culture (encouraged its growth). The opposite would be the emperor suppressed elite culture (prevented its growth or expression).

Conclusion

Based on the analysis of the meaning of "fostered" and the provided options, the word that is opposite in meaning is "suppressed".

Revision Table: Word Meanings and Antonyms

Word Meaning in Context (similar to fostered) Opposite Meaning (antonym of fostered) Option Relationship to Fostered
Fostered Encouraged development, promoted, nurtured Prevented development, suppressed, inhibited Underlined word
Cultivated Developed, refined Ignored, neglected Similar
Endorsed Approved, supported Opposed, rejected Similar (supports indirectly)
Suppressed Put an end to, inhibited development, prevented Fostered, encouraged, promoted Opposite
Incubated Developed slowly, nurtured initial stages Discarded, halted (development) Similar

Additional Information: Understanding Antonyms and Context

Finding the correct antonym often depends heavily on the context in which the word is used. While a word might have several potential antonyms, the best fit will be the one that makes sense when substituted into the original sentence with the opposite meaning intended.

In this case, "fostered elite culture" implies actively helping it grow. The opposite action would be actively stopping or hindering its growth, which is precisely what "suppressed" means.

Understanding common prefixes and suffixes can sometimes help in identifying antonyms (e.g., 'un-', 'dis-', 'anti-'), but often it requires knowing the specific meanings of words and considering the sentence structure and overall message.

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