Read the given passage and answer the question that follows. Between him and Darcy there was a very steady friendship, in spite of great opposition of character. Bingley was endeared to Darcy by the easiness, openness, and ductility of his temper, though no disposition could offer a greater contrast to his own, and though with his own he never appeared dissatisfied. On the strength of Darcy’s regard Bingley had the firmest reliance, and of his judgment the highest opinion. In understanding, Darcy was the superior. Bingley was by no means deficient, but Darcy was clever. He was at the same time haughty, reserved, and fastidious, and his manners, though well bred, were not inviting. In that respect his friend had greatly the advantage. Bingley was sure of being liked wherever he appeared, Darcy was continually giving offence. The manner in which they spoke of the Meryton assembly was sufficiently characteristic. Bingley had never met with pleasanter people or prettier girls in his life; everybody had been most kind and attentive to him; there had been no formality, no stiffness; he had soon felt acquainted with all the room; and as to Miss Bennet, he could not conceive an angel more beautiful. Darcy, on the contrary, had seen a collection of people in whom there was little beauty and no fashion, for none of whom he had felt the smallest interest, and from none received either attention or pleasure. Miss Bennet he acknowledged to be pretty, but she smiled too much. Mrs. Hurst and her sister allowed it to be so-but still they admired her and liked her, and pronounced her to be a sweet girl, and one whom they should not object to know more of. Miss Bennet was therefore established as a sweet girl, and their brother felt authorised by such commendation to think of her as he chose.
Select the synonym of ‘dependence’ from the passage.
Reliance
Understanding Synonyms in Reading Comprehension
The question asks us to identify a synonym for the word ‘dependence’ by carefully reading the provided passage about the characters Bingley and Darcy. A synonym is a word that has the same or nearly the same meaning as another word.
To find the synonym, we need to scan the passage and look for words or phrases that convey the idea of relying on, trusting, or needing someone or something. The passage describes the friendship between Bingley and Darcy and highlights Bingley's feelings towards Darcy.
Let's look at the sentence where Bingley's relationship with Darcy is described in terms of reliance or dependence:
“On the strength of Darcy’s regard Bingley had the firmest reliance, and of his judgment the highest opinion.”
In this sentence, the word ‘reliance’ is used. Let's consider its meaning in this context. Bingley had the ‘firmest reliance’ on Darcy's regard. This suggests that Bingley depended heavily on Darcy's approval or opinion. Therefore, ‘reliance’ here means dependence or trust.
Now let's examine the given options and see which one matches the meaning of ‘dependence’ as found in the passage:
- Reliance: This word is used in the passage and means dependence on or trust in someone or something. This fits the context perfectly.
- Relay: This means to pass something along or transmit. This is not a synonym for dependence.
- Misgiving: This means a feeling of doubt or apprehension about the outcome or consequences of something. This is the opposite of dependence or trust.
- Skepticism: This means doubt as to the truth or existence of something. This is also the opposite of dependence or trust.
Based on the usage in the passage and the definition of the words, the word ‘reliance’ is the correct synonym for ‘dependence’.
Analyzing the Options
| Option | Word | Meaning | Is it a Synonym for Dependence? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reliance | Dependence on or trust in someone or something. | Yes |
| 2 | Relay | To pass on or transmit. | No |
| 3 | Misgiving | A feeling of doubt or apprehension. | No (opposite) |
| 4 | Skepticism | Doubt as to the truth of something. | No (opposite) |
As the table shows, only ‘reliance’ accurately reflects the meaning of ‘dependence’ as it is implied in the passage concerning Bingley's feelings towards Darcy.
Revision Table: Key Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning in Context | Synonym(s) | Antonym(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dependence | The state of relying on or being controlled by someone or something else. | Reliance, Trust, Interdependence (depending on context) | Independence, Self-reliance |
| Reliance | Dependence on or trust in someone or something. | Dependence, Trust, Confidence | Doubt, Skepticism, Misgiving |
Additional Information: Reading Comprehension Strategies
When tackling reading comprehension questions about vocabulary, consider these tips:
- Always refer back to the passage to understand how the word is used in context.
- Try substituting the options into the original sentence to see which one makes the most sense.
- Break down unfamiliar words if possible (e.g., root words, prefixes, suffixes).
- Consider the overall tone and subject matter of the passage, as this can influence word meanings.
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'?
