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Question

Directions : Each of the following sentences in this section has a blank space and four words or group of words are given after the sentence. Select the most appropriate word or group of words for the blank space and indicate your response on the Answer Sheet accordingly.

He has the ______________ touch of a maestro.  

This question was previously asked in
CDS I 2022 English Previous Year Paper (10-April-2022)
The correct answer is

silken

Understanding the Sentence Completion Task

The question asks us to select the most appropriate word to fill in the blank space in the sentence: "He has the ______________ touch of a maestro." This requires us to understand the meaning of the sentence and choose a word that fits the context logically and describes the quality being attributed to the person's "touch" in comparison to a "maestro".

Analyzing the Key Terms: Maestro and Touch

A 'maestro' is typically a master in an art, especially a renowned composer, conductor, or performer of music. A maestro's 'touch' refers to their skill, technique, finesse, or characteristic style in performing or handling something. It implies mastery, control, and often a high degree of sensitivity and refinement.

Evaluating the Options for 'Touch of a Maestro'

Let's examine each option provided:

  1. grating: This word means harsh, unpleasant, or irritating, often related to a sound or feeling. A maestro's touch, implying mastery and skill, would not typically be described as grating. This option does not fit the positive connotation associated with a maestro.
  2. strong: This implies power or force. While a maestro might sometimes use strength, their defining characteristic is often finesse, control, and nuance rather than mere strength. "Strong touch" doesn't capture the refined quality expected of a maestro's mastery in most artistic contexts.
  3. silken: This word means smooth, soft, fine, delicate, or luxurious. When applied metaphorically to a touch, especially in an artistic context, it suggests smoothness, effortlessness, grace, and high refinement. This aligns well with the idea of a skilled master's touch, which is often characterized by finesse and smooth execution.
  4. heavy: This word implies cumbersome, difficult, or weighty. A "heavy touch" in music or art suggests a lack of lightness, grace, or control. This is the opposite of what is usually associated with the skilled touch of a maestro.

Selecting the Most Appropriate Word

Comparing the options, the word "silken" best describes the quality of a touch that is comparable to that of a maestro. A "silken touch" suggests smoothness, elegance, and a high level of refined skill, which are qualities characteristic of a master performer or artist.

Therefore, "silken" is the most appropriate word to complete the sentence, implying that the person's touch has the smoothness, grace, and mastery associated with a maestro.

Conclusion

Based on the analysis of the sentence and the meaning of the options, the word that most aptly describes the quality of a touch likened to that of a maestro is "silken".

Revision Table: Word Meanings in Context

Word Meaning relevant to "touch" Fit with "maestro's touch"
grating Harsh, unpleasant Poor fit (opposite of mastery)
strong Forceful, powerful Less suitable (doesn't capture finesse)
silken Smooth, refined, delicate Best fit (suggests skill and grace)
heavy Cumbersome, lacking lightness Poor fit (opposite of finesse)

Additional Information: Figurative Language and Vocabulary Building

This question uses figurative language, comparing a person's "touch" to that of a maestro to convey a sense of mastery and skill. Understanding such comparisons and the nuances of vocabulary is crucial for sentence completion tasks.

  • Vocabulary building involves learning the precise meanings of words and how they are used in different contexts, including metaphorical uses like "silken touch".
  • Sentence completion exercises test not just vocabulary but also comprehension of sentence structure, context, and implied meaning.
  • Words like "silken" can describe texture literally, but metaphorically, they describe qualities like smoothness, grace, or luxury. Paying attention to such figurative uses is key.
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