Select the most appropriate option that can substitute the underlined word in the given sentence. The visitors of the restaurant were enthralled by the dulcet tune that the pianist played.
sweet and soothing
Understanding the Word 'Dulcet'
The question asks us to find the most appropriate word or phrase to replace the underlined word 'dulcet' in the sentence: "The visitors of the restaurant were enthralled by the dulcet tune that the pianist played." We need to understand the meaning of 'dulcet' in this context.
Defining Dulcet
The word 'dulcet' is an adjective. It is typically used to describe sounds that are pleasing to hear. Think about how a beautiful piece of music makes you feel. 'Dulcet' captures that pleasant, often gentle, quality of sound.
Analyzing the Options for Dulcet
Let's examine each option provided to see which one best matches the meaning of 'dulcet' in the context of a tune played by a pianist:
- Option 1: unpleasantly rough
- Option 2: ear-piercing and loud
- Option 3: sweet and soothing
- Option 4: inaudible and indistinct
Now, let's consider how each option relates to the meaning of 'dulcet'.
Evaluating Each Option's Meaning
- unpleasantly rough: This describes a sound that is harsh or unpleasant. This is the opposite of what 'dulcet' means when describing a tune.
- ear-piercing and loud: This describes a sound that is excessively loud and potentially painful to the ears. This is also contrary to the gentle, pleasing quality implied by 'dulcet'.
- sweet and soothing: This describes a sound that is pleasant, gentle, and calming. This meaning aligns well with the idea of a tune that visitors would be "enthralled" by (meaning captured by the beauty or charm of something).
- inaudible and indistinct: This describes a sound that cannot be heard or is not clear. A tune that is inaudible or indistinct would not likely enthrall visitors; they probably wouldn't even notice it clearly.
Based on the analysis, the phrase "sweet and soothing" is the most appropriate substitute for 'dulcet' as it accurately captures the pleasant and gentle quality of the tune described in the sentence. The visitors being "enthralled" further supports that the tune was very pleasing to them.
The Best Substitute for Dulcet
Comparing the options, 'sweet and soothing' is the only one that conveys a positive and pleasant quality of sound, which is the definition of 'dulcet'. Therefore, substituting 'dulcet' with 'sweet and soothing' maintains the original meaning and context of the sentence.
| Word | Meaning / Closest Option |
|---|---|
| Dulcet | Sweet and soothing |
| Context Example | A dulcet tune |
Revision Table: Understanding Vocabulary
| Word | Definition Relevant to Context | Why it Fits/Doesn't Fit |
|---|---|---|
| Dulcet | Pleasing or sweet to the ear | Describes the positive quality of the tune. |
| unpleasantly rough | Harsh, not pleasant | Opposite meaning. |
| ear-piercing and loud | Extremely loud, jarring | Describes intensity, not pleasantness; often negative. |
| sweet and soothing | Pleasant, gentle, calming | Directly matches the definition of dulcet in terms of sound quality. |
| inaudible and indistinct | Cannot be heard clearly | Describes volume/clarity, not pleasantness; would not enthrall. |
Additional Information: Synonyms and Context Clues
Understanding synonyms and using context clues are vital skills for vocabulary questions. A synonym is a word or phrase that means exactly or nearly the same as another word or phrase.
- Synonyms for Dulcet: melodic, mellow, sweet-sounding, pleasant, soft.
- Context Clues: The rest of the sentence provides clues. "enthralled by the... tune" suggests that the tune had a captivating, positive effect on the visitors. This strongly implies the tune was pleasant, not rough, loud, or inaudible. The word "tune" itself refers to a piece of music, further narrowing the context to sound quality.
By combining our knowledge of the word 'dulcet' and the context provided by the sentence, we can confidently choose the best substitute.
Important Questions from Miscellaneous
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 :
A mass is attached to a spring that hangs vertically. The extension produced in the spring is 6 cm on Earth. The acceleration due to gravity on the surface of the Moon is one-sixth of its value on the surface of the Earth. The extension of the spring on the Moon would be:
Directions: Each item in this section consists of a sentence with an underlined word followed by four words (a), (b), (c), and (d). Select the option that is opposite in meaning to the underlined word and mark your response in your Answer Sheet accordingly.
The deluge affected the population.The major source of vitamins and minerals for vegetarians is
Which of the following statements about the Deccan Riots Commission is/are correct?
1. The Commission did not hold enquiries in the districts which were not affected.
2. The Commission did record the statements of ryots, sahukars and eye-witnesses.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
