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Question

Select the denotation of the highlighted word 'fragile'.

The fragile economy needs some thrust from supporting partners.

The correct answer is

Frail

Understanding the Denotation of 'Fragile'

The question asks for the denotation (the literal meaning) of the word 'fragile' as used in the sentence: "The fragile economy needs some thrust from supporting partners."

In this sentence, 'fragile' describes the state of the economy. An economy described as 'fragile' is likely weak, unstable, or easily harmed. It suggests that the economy is not strong enough to withstand difficulties without help.

Analyzing the Options for 'Fragile'

Let's look at the given options and compare their meanings to the word 'fragile' in the context of the sentence:

  • Robust: This word means strong, healthy, and able to withstand difficult conditions. This is the opposite of what 'fragile' means in the sentence.
  • Strong: Similar to robust, strong means having power or force; able to withstand pressure or damage. This is also the opposite of 'fragile'.
  • Frail: This word means weak and delicate. It describes something that is easily broken or damaged. This meaning aligns well with the idea of a 'fragile economy' that needs support to avoid collapse or difficulty.
  • Trail: This word typically refers to a path or track. It has no relation to the meaning of 'fragile'.

Identifying the Correct Denotation

Based on the analysis, the word 'frail' is the closest in meaning to 'fragile'. Both words describe something that is weak and easily affected or broken.

Therefore, the denotation of 'fragile' in the context of the sentence is 'frail'.

Meaning Comparison
Word Meaning Relation to 'Fragile'
Fragile Easily broken or damaged; weak or unstable. (Target word)
Robust Strong, healthy, vigorous. Opposite
Strong Having power or force; able to withstand pressure. Opposite
Frail Weak and delicate; easily broken or damaged. Synonym
Trail A path or track. Unrelated

Revision Table: Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary Review
Word Part of Speech Definition
Fragile Adjective (1) Easily broken or damaged. (2) Delicate, not strong.
Denotation Noun The literal or primary meaning of a word, in contrast to the feelings or ideas that the word suggests.
Frail Adjective (1) (of a person) Weak and delicate. (2) Easily broken or damaged. (3) Susceptible to the exertion of an unhealthy or undesirable influence.
Economy Noun The state of a country or region in terms of the production and consumption of goods and services and the supply of money.

Additional Information: Synonyms and Antonyms of Fragile

Understanding synonyms and antonyms helps build vocabulary and comprehension. For the word 'fragile':

  • Synonyms: brittle, delicate, weak, flimsy, breakable, frail, vulnerable.
  • Antonyms: strong, robust, sturdy, tough, durable, resilient.

In the context of an economy, 'fragile' implies vulnerability and a lack of resilience, which aligns well with the definition of 'frail'.

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Important Questions from Miscellaneous

  1. A stone is thrown horizontally from the top of a 20 m high building with a speed of 12 m/s. It hits the ground at a distance R from the building. Taking g = 10 m/s2 and neglecting air resistance will give :

  2. A sphere of volume V is made of a material with lower density than water. While on Earth, it floats on water with its volume f1V (f1 < 1) submerged. On the other hand, on a spaceship accelerating with acceleration a < g (g is the acceleration due to gravity on Earth) in outer space, its submerged volume in water is f2V. Then:

  3. A railway wagon (open at the top) of mass M1 is moving with speed v1 along a straight track. As a result of rain, after some time it gets partially filled with water so that the mass of the wagon becomes M2 and speed becomes v2. Taking the rain to be falling vertically and the water stationery inside the wagon, the relation between the two speeds v1 and v2 is :

  4. Consider the following statements:

    1. Distance between the longitudes becomes zero on North Pole and South Pole.

    2. Distance between the longitudes is maximum on the Equator.

    3. Number of longitudes is more than number of latitudes.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  5. One block of 2⋅0 kg mass is placed on top of another block of 3⋅0 kg mass. The coefficient of static friction between the two blocks is 0⋅2. The bottom block is pulled with a horizontal force F such that both the blocks move together without slipping. Taking acceleration due to gravity as 10 m/s2, the maximum value of the frictional force is :

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