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Question

Select the most appropriate synonym of the word given in the brackets to fill in the blank.
The increasing population of a country can be a ________ (affliction) for the development of a country.

The correct answer is
bane

Understanding the Sentence Context

The sentence discusses the potential impact of a country's increasing population on its development. It states that this population growth can be a specific type of influence, described by the word 'affliction'. We need to find a word that means something similar to 'affliction' and fits logically in the sentence.

Defining 'Affliction'

An affliction is something that causes pain, suffering, or distress. It generally refers to a problem, trouble, or a source of harm.

Analyzing the Options

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

  • boom: This means a sudden increase in economic activity or prosperity. It's usually a positive term.
  • bane: This word means a cause of great distress or annoyance; something that spoils or ruins something else. It's a source of harm or a detriment.
  • boon: This means a thing that is helpful or beneficial; a blessing. It is the opposite of an affliction or bane.
  • brittleness: This refers to the tendency of a material to break or shatter easily. It doesn't fit the context of population's impact on development.

Selecting the Most Appropriate Synonym

The sentence suggests that the increasing population acts as a problem or a source of trouble for a country's development. We need a synonym for 'affliction' that conveys this negative impact.

  • 'Boom' doesn't fit because while population growth can sometimes be seen as positive (more workforce), the word 'affliction' implies a negative aspect, which 'boom' contradicts.
  • 'Boon' is incorrect because it means a benefit, the opposite of 'affliction'.
  • 'Brittleness' is irrelevant to the socio-economic context.
  • 'Bane' perfectly matches the meaning of 'affliction' in this context. An increasing population can indeed be a bane (a cause of problems and difficulties) for a country's development if resources, infrastructure, and job opportunities cannot keep pace.

Therefore, the most appropriate synonym for 'affliction' to fill in the blank is 'bane'.

Filled Sentence

The increasing population of a country can be a bane for the development of a country.

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Important Questions from Synonyms or Antonyms

  1. A sentence with an underlined word is given below. Select the most appropriate antonym for the underlined word.

    Whether the rewards arein commensurate withthe efforts or not, a society will always have workaholics and the shirk workgroups.

  2. The following question consists of a sentence with an underlined word followed by four words. Select the word that is opposite in meaning to the underlined word and mark your response accordingly.

    Wars leave behind a large number ofemaciatedsoldiers in the camps of both the victorious and the vanquished.

  3. A sentence with an underlined word is given below. Select the most appropriate antonym for the underlined word.

    There was amammothgathering to listen to the leader.

  4. The following question consists of a sentence with an underlined word followed by four words. Select the word that is opposite in meaning to the underlined word and mark your response accordingly.

    The audience thoroughly enjoyed thehilariousdrama.

  5. A sentence with an underlined word is given below. Select the most appropriate antonym for the underlined word.

    The writer’seruditionin science is revealed in every page of the book.

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