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Question

Which of the following pairs of homonyms can be used to fill in the blanks most suitably?

Many new ideas are _____ when challenges are bravely _____ by those who dare to think differently.

This question was previously asked in
SSC CHSL 2025 Tier 1 Question Paper (21-Nov-2025) (Shift 1)
The correct answer is

born, borne

The sentence requires a pair of homonyms built on the verb “bear” to fill the two blanks correctly.

The first blank describes ideas coming into existence, so it needs “born”, the past participle used for birth or origin, as in ideas are born.

The second blank describes challenges being endured or carried, so it needs “borne”, the past participle of “bear” used for carrying, enduring or facing something.

English splits the past participle of “bear”: “born” is used only for birth, while “borne” is used for every other sense, including being endured or faced.

So the sentence reads “Many new ideas are born when challenges are bravely borne”, which is option 1.

“Bourn” (or “bourne”) is an archaic word meaning a boundary or a small stream and does not fit either blank, ruling out options 2 and 4.

Option 3 reverses the two words, using “borne” for birth and “born” for enduring, which is the opposite of correct usage.

The correct pair is born, borne.

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Similar Questions

  1. Select the sentence containing the homonym of the highlighted word:

    She gave him a small wave before leaving.

  2. Which of the following options is not one of the meanings of the homonym 'content'?

  3. Pick the correctly used homonym.

  4. Which of the following options is NOT one of the meanings of the homonym 'advance'?

  5. Which of the following options is NOT one of the meanings of the homonym 'resolution'?

  6. Match the pair to its meaning:

    Column A Column B
    1. Faze - A) Disturb or upset
    2. Phase - B) Stage or step in a process

  7. Which of the following pairs of homonyms can be used to fill in the blanks most suitably?

    The teacher's decision was guided by the core ________ of fairness, even though the ________ disagreed with her approach.

  8. Which of the following pairs of homonyms can be used to fill in the blanks most suitably?

    The negotiator managed to ____ the tension in the room before it could ____ into a full-blown conflict.

  9. Which of the following pairs of homonyms can be used to fill in the blanks most suitably?

    The interior designer received a ____ from her client for choosing furniture that would perfectly ____ the walls and floors.

  10. Select the sentence containing the homonym of the highlighted word:

    He ran a 100-meter dash to the finish line.


Important Questions from Homophones

  1. Fill in the blank with the appropriate homonym :

    He left the meeting in a fit of __________ .

  2. Fill in the blank with the appropriate homonym :

    A __________ gives us his words of wisdom.

  3. Fill in the blank with the most appropriate word.

    Our ______ is a man of ______.

  4. Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank.

    I don't know ______ you would like my suggestion. But the ______ is bad and you shouldn't go out at this time of the night. 

  5. Fill in the blank with the appropriate homonym :

    He edits a ____________ weekly journal.

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