Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow. As the Sun inches closer to its peak activity in its solar cycle, an explosion has been picked up behind the north-eastern limb of the star in our solar system. Solar observatories saw bits and pieces of the explosion, which remain obscured in view from Earth's orbit. The explosion was spotted on 31 July at around 2309 UT and Earth-orbiting satellites registered a long-lasting C9.3-class solar flare. "The intensity is probably an underestimate because it was partially eclipsed by the edge of the sun. Nasa's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) saw hot debris flying away from the blast site," space weather, which tracks the solar activity, reported. While the explosion was powerful, experts have predicted that Earth is not in the line of fire from the Sun. Scientists are expected to get a view of the active region later this week as it comes to sight. Earth is not in the line of fire. The explosion is significant because it may herald an active region set to emerge over the sun's north-eastern limb later this week. A new sunspot group could bring an end to weeks of relative quiet," space weather said in its report.
Select the most appropriate synonym of the given word from the passage. Spotted
Witnessed
Understanding the Question: Synonym for 'Spotted' in Passage
The question asks us to find the most appropriate synonym for the word "Spotted" as it is used in the provided passage. A synonym is a word or phrase that means exactly or nearly the same as another word or phrase in the same language.
Analyzing the Passage for 'Spotted' Context
Let's locate the word "Spotted" in the passage and understand its context:
- The passage states: "The explosion was spotted on 31 July at around 2309 UT and Earth-orbiting satellites registered a long-lasting C9.3-class solar flare."
- In this sentence, "spotted" refers to how the explosion was detected or seen. Solar observatories and satellites "saw bits and pieces of the explosion" and "registered" a solar flare.
- So, "spotted" here means that the explosion was seen or observed.
Examining the Options for the Best Synonym
Now, let's look at the given options and see which one fits the meaning of "Spotted" in the context of seeing a solar explosion:
- Witnessed: This word means to see an event happen. For example, "They witnessed the accident." This meaning aligns well with seeing a solar explosion.
- Speckled: This means marked with small spots or patches of colour. For example, "The bird had speckled feathers." This is about appearance, not about seeing an event.
- Splotchy: This means marked with splotches, which are large, irregular marks or stains. For example, "The wall had splotchy paint." This is also about appearance, not about seeing an event.
- Placed: This means put something in a particular position. For example, "She placed the book on the table." This is about positioning, not about seeing an event.
Identifying the Correct Synonym
Comparing the options to the context, "Witnessed" is the only word that accurately describes seeing or observing an event like a solar explosion. The passage describes the explosion being "spotted" by observatories and satellites, which is essentially witnessing the event.
Therefore, "Witnessed" is the most appropriate synonym for "Spotted" as used in the passage.
Revision Table: Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning in Context | General Meaning | Fits Passage? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spotted | Seen or detected (the explosion) | Saw or noticed something; also, marked with spots | Yes (Meaning: Seen) |
| Witnessed | Seen an event occur | Seen an event occur | Yes |
| Speckled | Not applicable | Marked with small spots | No |
| Splotchy | Not applicable | Marked with splotches (irregular marks) | No |
| Placed | Not applicable | Put in a particular position | No |
Additional Information: Reading Comprehension and Vocabulary
This question tests your ability to understand vocabulary in context. Many words have multiple meanings, and it's crucial to read the surrounding sentences to figure out which meaning is intended by the author. In this case, "spotted" could mean "marked with spots," but the context of a "solar explosion" being "spotted" clearly indicates the meaning of "seen" or "detected." Understanding synonyms helps improve reading comprehension and expands your vocabulary for writing and speaking.
When tackling similar questions, always:
- Read the sentence containing the word carefully.
- Try to guess the meaning of the word from the surrounding text.
- Look at the options provided.
- Substitute each option back into the original sentence to see if it makes sense.
- Choose the option that best fits the meaning in that specific context.
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'?
