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Question

Each item in this section consists of an underlined word in given sentences. Each sentence is followed by four words. Select the word which is most similar in meaning to the underlined word and mark your response in the Answer Sheet accordingly.

Suddenly there was a bright flash, followed by a deafening explosion.

This question was previously asked in
NDA I 2016 GAT Previous Year Paper (17-Apr-2016)
The correct answer is

very loud

Finding the Meaning of 'Deafening' in Sentences

The question asks us to find the word most similar in meaning to the underlined word 'deafening' as used in the sentence: "Suddenly there was a bright flash, followed by a deafening explosion."

Let's understand the word 'deafening'. The word 'deafening' is an adjective derived from 'deafen', which means to make someone temporarily or permanently unable to hear. Therefore, 'deafening' describes a sound that is extremely loud, loud enough to damage hearing or make it impossible to hear anything else.

Analyzing the Options for 'Deafening' Synonym

We need to examine each option to see which one best matches the meaning of 'deafening'.

  • dangerous: This word describes something that is likely to cause harm or injury. While a deafening explosion could potentially be dangerous, 'dangerous' describes the potential outcome, not the quality of the sound itself (its loudness).
  • terrifying: This word means causing intense fear or terror. A loud explosion might be terrifying, but 'terrifying' describes the emotional impact, not the characteristic of the sound (its volume).
  • mild: This word means not strong, severe, or intense. It is the opposite of loud or intense sound. So, this is not similar in meaning to 'deafening'.
  • very loud: This phrase directly describes the intensity of the sound. A sound that is 'very loud' is high in volume, which is precisely what 'deafening' implies – a sound that is extremely loud.

Identifying the Correct Synonym

Comparing the meaning of 'deafening' with the given options, we find that 'very loud' is the closest match. 'Deafening' specifically refers to the extreme loudness of a sound.

Conclusion

Based on the analysis of the word 'deafening' and the given options, the word that is most similar in meaning is 'very loud'.

Word Meaning Similarity to 'Deafening'
Deafening Extremely loud; enough to damage hearing --
Dangerous Likely to cause harm No (relates to outcome, not sound)
Terrifying Causing fear No (relates to emotion, not sound)
Mild Not intense; gentle No (opposite)
Very loud High in volume; intense sound Yes (describes the sound's intensity)

Revision Table: Key Vocabulary

Word Meaning in Context
Deafening Extremely loud, overpowering sound
Explosion A violent burst, often producing a loud noise
Flash A sudden burst of light

Additional Information: Understanding Synonyms and Antonyms

Understanding synonyms and antonyms is crucial for building vocabulary and comprehending texts. A synonym is a word that has the same or nearly the same meaning as another word. An antonym is a word that means the opposite of another word.

  • Synonyms help us express ideas using different words, making our language richer and more precise. For example, synonyms for 'happy' include 'joyful', 'glad', 'cheerful'.
  • Antonyms help us highlight contrasts and differences. For example, the antonym of 'happy' is 'sad'. The antonym of 'loud' is 'quiet' or 'soft'.

In this question, we were looking for a synonym for 'deafening', which is a strong form of 'loud'. The options provided included words related to effect (dangerous, terrifying), an antonym (mild), and a direct synonym (very loud). Recognizing the core meaning of 'deafening' as extreme loudness was key to selecting the correct synonym.

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