Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow. ‘War is what happens when words fail’ says Margaret Atwood. After war what remains is only unimaginable damage. The innocent lives, livestock and property of citizens will be lost filling every spot with bloodshed and misery. It takes decades to normalise the psychological terrors of the victims of war. The consequences, in one form or the other, will bring bitterness even to the rest of the world. So, it is the responsibility of a nation’s leader to protect his/her own people from the bitter wars. Impactful leadership, commitment to provide peace and comfort to the citizens, diplomatic strength and awareness of happenings around the world and neighbourhood are essential to any nation’s leader. Nowadays, one who wins the battlefield is not the winner, in fact he is the first loser. One who endeavours to prevent war is a real hero. The nations of the modern world are in need of real heroes. So, the words ‘bravery’, ‘tactics’, and ‘generalship’ should be used for those who sacrifice anything for protecting his nation, other nations and mother earth from devastating results of war.
Select the ANTONYM of the word ‘endeavour’.
Idleness
Understanding the Word 'Endeavour' and its Antonym
The question asks for the antonym of the word 'endeavour' based on its usage in the provided passage. Let's first understand what 'endeavour' means in the context of the passage.
The passage states, "One who endeavours to prevent war is a real hero." Here, 'endeavours' means making a serious effort or trying hard to prevent war. It implies active participation and commitment towards a goal.
We are looking for a word that means the opposite of making a serious effort or trying hard.
Analyzing the Options for the Antonym of Endeavour
Let's examine each option provided:
- Readiness: This means being prepared for something. While preparedness can be related to effort, it is not the direct opposite of making an effort or trying.
- Effort: This is very close to the meaning of 'endeavour'. An effort is a vigorous or determined attempt. So, 'effort' is a synonym, not an antonym.
- Selflessness: This refers to being concerned more with the needs and wishes of others than with one's own. This is a quality or attitude, not the opposite of making an effort.
- Idleness: This means inactivity, laziness, or avoiding work or effort. This is the direct opposite of making a serious effort or trying hard. If 'endeavour' is trying hard to do something, 'idleness' is not trying at all or being inactive.
Based on the analysis, 'Idleness' is the most appropriate antonym for 'endeavour' as used in the passage.
Comparing Endeavour and Idleness
| Word | Meaning (in context) | Relation to Action/Effort |
|---|---|---|
| Endeavour | To try hard to do or achieve something; make an effort. | Involves active effort and trying. |
| Idleness | The state of doing nothing; laziness. | Involves lack of effort and inactivity. |
Therefore, 'Idleness' stands as the clearest antonym for 'endeavour'.
Conclusion on the Antonym
The antonym of the word 'endeavour' from the given options is 'Idleness'.
Revision Table: Key Vocabulary from the Passage
| Word | Meaning in Passage Context | Related Concepts |
|---|---|---|
| Endeavour | To try hard, make a serious effort | Effort, Attempt, Strive, Try |
| Antonym | A word opposite in meaning to another | Opposite, Converse |
| Idleness | State of doing nothing, laziness | Inactivity, Sloth, Inertia |
| Diplomatic strength | Skill in handling international relations | Negotiation, Diplomacy, Statecraft |
| Tactics | Actions or strategies carefully planned to achieve a specific end | Strategy, Plan, Approach |
Additional Information: Understanding Antonyms and Synonyms
Understanding antonyms and synonyms is a crucial part of vocabulary building and comprehension. Let's look at these concepts further.
- Antonym: An antonym is a word that has the opposite meaning of another word. For example, hot is an antonym of cold, and happy is an antonym of sad. Finding antonyms helps us understand the full spectrum of meaning associated with a word.
- Synonym: A synonym is a word that has the same or a very similar meaning to another word. For example, happy is a synonym of joyful, and big is a synonym of large. Synonyms help us vary our language and express nuances in meaning.
When determining the antonym or synonym of a word, it's important to consider the context in which the word is used, as meanings can vary depending on the situation.
Important Questions from Reading Comprehension
Why, according to the writer can't people be motivated to use a resource prudently?
1. They feel that others may overuse the resource
2. It is possible to substitute the resource
3. Abundance of the resource availability
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
When do people use resources exhaustively?
The self-interest of people affects the use of renewable resources
People rooted in a locality
Which among the following is closest in meaning with the word 'deplete'?
