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Question

Each item in this section consists of a sentence with an underlined word followed by four options. Select the option that is opposite in meaning to the underlined word. 

He is suffering from a curable disease.

This question was previously asked in
NDA II 2019 GAT Previous Year Paper (17-Nov-2019)
The correct answer is

terminal

Finding the Opposite Meaning of 'Curable'

The question asks us to find the word that is opposite in meaning to the underlined word 'curable' in the sentence "He is suffering from a curable disease." Understanding the meaning of 'curable' is the first step.

Understanding 'Curable'

The word 'curable' describes something, typically a disease or condition, that can be cured or healed. It means that there is a treatment available that can eliminate the disease or restore health.

Analyzing the Options to Find the Antonym

Let's look at the given options and determine their meanings:

  • remediable: This word means capable of being remedied or cured. It is a synonym for 'curable'.
  • treatable: This word means capable of being treated, especially successfully. Often, a treatable disease is also curable, or its symptoms can be managed effectively. It is closely related in meaning to 'curable'.
  • terminal: This word describes a disease or condition that is expected to cause death and for which there is no known cure. A terminal illness cannot be cured.
  • operable: This word means capable of being treated by surgery. While surgery can sometimes cure a disease, 'operable' refers specifically to the method of treatment (surgery) rather than the outcome (cure). A disease can be operable but not curable, or curable through means other than surgery.

We are looking for the opposite meaning of 'curable'. A disease that is 'curable' can be healed. The opposite would be a disease that cannot be healed and will lead to death.

Identifying the Correct Opposite

Comparing the meanings:

  • Curable <> Remediable (Similar)
  • Curable <> Treatable (Similar)
  • Curable <> Terminal (Opposite)
  • Curable <> Operable (Different concept, not a direct opposite)

The word 'terminal' clearly represents the opposite of 'curable' in the context of a disease. A curable disease can be overcome, while a terminal disease is one that cannot be overcome and will result in death.

Therefore, the word that is opposite in meaning to 'curable' is 'terminal'.

Revision Table: Understanding Vocabulary

Word Meaning Relationship to 'Curable'
Curable Can be cured or healed Base word
Remediable Can be remedied or cured Synonym
Treatable Can be treated (often successfully) Similar meaning
Terminal Cannot be cured, expected to cause death Antonym (Opposite)
Operable Can be treated by surgery Related to treatment method, not direct opposite of curability

Additional Information on Medical Terminology and Antonyms

Understanding medical terms is important for vocabulary. Words like 'curable', 'terminal', 'treatable', and 'operable' are often used to describe the nature and prognosis of illnesses.

Antonyms are words with opposite meanings. Identifying antonyms helps improve vocabulary and comprehension. For example, knowing that 'curable' means a disease can be healed helps us find a word like 'terminal' which means a disease cannot be healed and is fatal.

It's also useful to distinguish between terms that are synonyms (like 'curable' and 'remediable') and those that are related but not the same (like 'treatable' or 'operable' compared to 'curable'). Not all treatable diseases are curable (some can only be managed), and not all curable diseases are treated by surgery (operable).

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Similar Questions

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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 .

  5. 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 .

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. 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.

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  10. 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

  1. 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.

  2. 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

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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

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