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Question

Directions: In the sentence, a word is underlined followed by four words/groups of words. Select the option that is  nearest in meaning  to the underlined word and mark your response on your Answer Sheet accordingly.

The properties of the family have been  impounded  by the order of the court.

This question was previously asked in
CDS I 2019 Elementary Mathematics Previous Year Paper (03-Feb-2019)
The correct answer is

Confiscated

Understanding the Question: Finding the Synonym for 'Impounded'

The question asks us to find the word or group of words that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word "impounded" in the given sentence: "The properties of the family have been impounded by the order of the court."

We need to understand the meaning of "impounded" in this context and then compare it with the meanings of the given options.

Meaning of 'Impounded'

In legal and administrative contexts, when something like property is "impounded", it means it has been seized or taken into legal custody by an authority, usually under a court order or law. This is often done for investigation, as security, or because it is involved in a legal process.

Analyzing the Options

Let's examine each option provided:

  • Option 1: Confiscated - To confiscate means to take or seize property with authority, often as a penalty or for public use. This definition is very close to the meaning of impounded, especially when done by a court order.
  • Option 2: Permitted - To permit means to allow or give permission for something. This is the opposite of seizing or taking something away.
  • Option 3: Sold - Sold means that ownership of the property has been transferred in exchange for money. While impounded property might eventually be sold, impounding itself is the act of seizing and holding, not selling.
  • Option 4: Put on hold - Put on hold means to postpone, delay, or temporarily suspend something. While access to impounded property might be suspended, the term "impounded" specifically refers to the act of seizure and custody by authority, not just a delay in activity.

Comparing Meanings and Identifying the Closest Synonym

Let's compare the core meaning of "impounded" (seized and held in legal custody by authority) with the options:

Word Meaning in Context Similarity to 'Impounded'
Impounded Seized and held in legal custody by court order. Reference term
Confiscated Seized with authority. High similarity; often used interchangeably in contexts of legal seizure.
Permitted Allowed. Opposite meaning.
Sold Exchanged for money. Different action; selling might happen after impounding.
Put on hold Delayed or suspended. Related to the consequence, but not the action of seizure.

From the comparison, it is clear that "Confiscated" is the word that is nearest in meaning to "impounded" in the context of properties being taken by order of the court.

Conclusion

The word "impounded" in the sentence refers to the seizure of property by legal authority. The option that best matches this meaning is "Confiscated".

Revision Table: Key Vocabulary

Word Meaning Example Sentence
Impound To seize and take legal custody of (property, vehicles, etc.) by order of law or authority. The police decided to impound the car involved in the accident.
Confiscate To take or seize (someone's property) with authority; often as a penalty. The teacher had to confiscate the student's phone during class.
Permit To allow or give permission. Smoking is not permitted inside the building.
Sell To exchange something for money. They decided to sell their old house.
Put on hold To postpone or delay something. The project was put on hold due to lack of funds.

Additional Information: Legal Terminology

In legal contexts, terms like "impound" and "confiscate" are related to the government or legal authorities taking possession of property. While often similar, there can be subtle differences in their specific legal definitions depending on the jurisdiction and the exact circumstances. However, in general English usage, especially in the context of court orders seizing property, "confiscate" is a widely accepted synonym for "impound".

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