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Question

Select the most appropriate ANTONYM of the underlined word.

Beowulf was praised for his valour displayed in the battlefield.

This question was previously asked in
SSC CGL 2022 Tier-II (Paper 2 JSO) Previous Year Paper (04-Mar-2023)
The correct answer is

Cowardice

Understanding the Question: Finding the Antonym of Valour

The question asks us to identify the most appropriate antonym (opposite word) for the underlined word, "valour," as used in the sentence: "Beowulf was praised for his valour displayed in the battlefield." We need to examine the meaning of "valour" and compare it with the meanings of the given options to find its opposite.

Analyzing the Underlined Word: Valour

The word "valour" means great courage, especially in the face of danger, such as in battle. Beowulf was praised for his bravery and fearlessness on the battlefield.

  • Valour: Great courage, especially in the face of danger.

Examining the Options

Let's look at the meaning of each provided option:

  1. Forbearance: Patience, self-control, or tolerance. It is the act of refraining from exercising a legal right or delaying payment of a debt. This is not related to courage or its opposite.
  2. Erudition: The quality of having or showing great knowledge or learning. This refers to intellectual ability or knowledge, not courage.
  3. Cowardice: Lack of bravery. This is the opposite of courage and valour. Someone showing cowardice is fearful and lacks the courage to face danger.
  4. Idiosyncrasy: A peculiar or unusual habit, characteristic, or way of behaving that is specific to an individual. This describes a personal trait or quirk, not related to courage.

Determining the Antonym

We are looking for the word that is the opposite of "valour" (great courage). Comparing the meanings, "cowardice" (lack of bravery) directly contrasts with "valour."

Let's summarize the comparison in a table:

Word Meaning Relation to Valour
Valour Great courage in danger The word in question
Forbearance Patience, self-control Not related
Erudition Great knowledge Not related
Cowardice Lack of bravery Opposite
Idiosyncrasy Peculiar trait Not related

Based on the analysis, "cowardice" is the direct antonym of "valour."

Revision Table: Antonym of Valour

Reviewing the key terms and their meanings helps reinforce the understanding.

Word Meaning Antonym
Valour Great courage, bravery Cowardice
Cowardice Lack of bravery, fearfulness Valour

Additional Information: Understanding Antonyms and Synonyms

Understanding antonyms and synonyms is crucial for building vocabulary. An antonym is a word that means the opposite of another word, while a synonym is a word that means the same or nearly the same as another word.

  • Antonym: A word opposite in meaning to another (e.g., hot and cold).
  • Synonym: A word or phrase that means exactly or nearly the same as another word or phrase in the same language (e.g., happy and joyful).

In this case, "valour" and "cowardice" are antonyms. Synonyms for "valour" could include bravery, courage, fearlessness, or intrepidity.

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