Select the most appropriate synonym of the highlighted word. Thehaplessincident was a result of sheer negligence by the authorities.
ill- fated
Finding the Synonym for Hapless
The question asks for the most appropriate synonym for the highlighted word "hapless" in the sentence: "The hapless incident was a result of sheer negligence by the authorities."
To find the correct synonym, we need to understand the meaning of "hapless" in this context. The sentence describes an incident that occurred due to negligence. Negligence usually leads to negative outcomes.
"Hapless" is an adjective that means unfortunate or having bad luck. When describing an incident, it suggests an unfortunate event, one that brings bad luck or is doomed to be bad.
Analyzing the Options
Let's look at the provided options and see which one fits the meaning of "hapless" best:
| Option | Meaning | Fit with "hapless"? |
|---|---|---|
| 1. triumphant | Having won a victory; feeling or expressing joy after victory. | No, this is positive and related to success. |
| 2. joyful | Feeling, expressing, or causing great pleasure and happiness. | No, this is also positive and relates to happiness. |
| 3. grateful | Feeling or showing an appreciation for something. | No, this relates to thankfulness, not the nature of an incident. |
| 4. ill-fated | Destined to fail or have bad luck; unfortunate. | Yes, this directly aligns with the meaning of unfortunate or having bad luck, fitting the context of a negative incident caused by negligence. |
Choosing the Most Appropriate Synonym
Based on the analysis, "ill-fated" is the word that most closely matches the meaning of "hapless" as unfortunate or having bad luck, which suits the description of an incident resulting from negligence.
Conclusion
Therefore, the most appropriate synonym for "hapless" is "ill-fated".
Revision Table: Understanding Synonyms
| Word | Meaning | Example Synonym(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Hapless | Unfortunate, having bad luck | ill-fated, unlucky, star-crossed |
| Triumphant | Victorious, successful | conquering, winning |
| Joyful | Full of happiness and pleasure | happy, cheerful, glad |
| Grateful | Feeling or showing thanks | thankful, appreciative |
| Ill-fated | Destined to fail or have bad luck | unfortunate, unlucky, doomed |
Additional Information on Vocabulary Building
Building a strong vocabulary is essential for understanding and using English effectively, especially in exams. Here are some tips:
- Read widely: Encountering words in different contexts helps you understand their meanings and nuances.
- Use a dictionary and thesaurus: Look up new words and explore their synonyms and antonyms.
- Practice using new words: Try to incorporate new vocabulary into your writing and speaking.
- Use flashcards or vocabulary apps: Regularly test yourself on words you are trying to learn.
- Learn word roots, prefixes, and suffixes: Understanding these can help you figure out the meaning of unfamiliar words.
Focusing on synonyms helps you express yourself with greater precision and variety.
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 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:
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 :
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?
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 :
