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Question

Directions : In the following questions a pair of similar sounding words is provided. You are required to select the option that most appropriately describes the meaning of both the words and mark your response on the Answer Sheet accordingly.

‘Emigrate’ and ‘Immigrate’ 

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

Emigrate means to leave for another country and Immigrate means to arrive at another country

Understanding Emigrate and Immigrate Meanings

This question asks about the meanings of two similar-sounding words, 'Emigrate' and 'Immigrate'. These words are often confused because they both relate to moving from one country to another. However, they describe the movement from different perspectives.

Defining Emigrate

'Emigrate' means to leave one's own country in order to settle permanently in another. The focus is on the country being *left*. Think of the 'e' in 'emigrate' as meaning 'exit' or 'out of'.

For example, if someone is leaving India to live in Canada, they are emigrating from India.

Defining Immigrate

'Immigrate' means to come to live permanently in a foreign country. The focus is on the country being *entered* or *arrived at*. Think of the 'i' in 'immigrate' as meaning 'in' or 'into'.

For example, if someone is arriving in Canada from India to live there, they are immigrating to Canada.

Comparing Emigrate and Immigrate

The key difference lies in the point of reference. When you emigrate, you are leaving a place. When you immigrate, you are arriving at a place. It's the same person and the same move, but described from two different viewpoints:

  • Emigrate from (the country you leave)
  • Immigrate to (the country you arrive at)

Analyzing the Options

Let's look at the given options based on our understanding of the terms 'Emigrate' and 'Immigrate':

  • Option 1: ‘Emigrate’ means to illegally go to another country and ‘Immigrate’ means to arrive at another country.

    This option is incorrect. The words 'emigrate' and 'immigrate' refer to the act of moving between countries, not the legality of the move. 'Emigrate' means to leave, not necessarily illegally enter.

  • Option 2: ‘Emigrate’ means to arrive at another country and ‘Immigrate’ means to leave for another country.

    This option incorrectly swaps the meanings of 'emigrate' and 'immigrate'. Emigrate means to leave, and immigrate means to arrive.

  • Option 3: ‘Emigrate’ means to leave for another country and ‘Immigrate’ means to illegally enter a country.

    This option is incorrect. While 'Emigrate' is correctly defined as leaving, 'Immigrate' is incorrectly defined as illegally entering. Immigrating is simply arriving to live in a foreign country, and it can be legal or illegal. The term itself doesn't specify legality.

  • Option 4: ‘Emigrate’ means to leave for another country and ‘Immigrate’ means to arrive at another country.

    This option correctly defines both 'Emigrate' as leaving one country for another and 'Immigrate' as arriving at another country to live. This aligns with the standard definitions of the words.

Therefore, the option that most appropriately describes the meaning of both words 'Emigrate' and 'Immigrate' is the one stating that 'Emigrate' means to leave for another country and 'Immigrate' means to arrive at another country.

Word Meaning Perspective
Emigrate To leave one's country to settle in another Focus on the country being LEFT
Immigrate To come to live permanently in a foreign country Focus on the country being ARRIVED AT

Revision Table: Emigrate vs Immigrate

Term Definition
Emigrate To leave one country
Immigrate To arrive in another country

Additional Information: Related Migration Concepts

It is helpful to know other related terms when discussing movement between places:

  • Migrate: This is a more general term meaning to move from one place to another, especially in search of better living conditions. It can apply within a country (internal migration) or between countries (international migration). Animals also migrate.
  • Migrant: A person who moves from one place to another, often to find work or better living conditions. This is a general term for someone undertaking migration.
  • Emigrant: A person who leaves their own country to settle in another. This person is an emigrant from their original country.
  • Immigrant: A person who comes to live permanently in a foreign country. This person is an immigrant in the country they have moved to.
  • Migration: The process of moving from one place to another.

Understanding the specific meanings of 'Emigrate' and 'Immigrate' and how they relate to the general term 'migrate' is crucial for clear communication about population movement.

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    The stained glass windows behind the _______ in Glenn Church are in need of repair.

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  3. Fill in the blank with the appropriate homonym :

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  4. Fill in the blank with the appropriate homonym :

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