Devotees thronged the fair not only for divine blessings but also for watching street-shows and other entertainment events. Only a mud track led to the village and everyone reached there by walking or on bullock carts.
My father, an advocate by profession, was popular among the villagers. His clients from the place used to arrange bullock carts for us and a few family friends and relatives to attend the fair.
The journey would start early in the morning. We children will be in a separate cart. I used to eagerly look forward to this occasion every year as though it was a journey of a life-time and worth enjoying every minute of it. Money saved for this fair would be tucked firmly in my pockets during the journey. Whenever the cart jerked or sped away, I would hold my pockets tightly so that coins would not spill out.
The crowd at the temple in the foothill used to be highly unorganised, especially the food counter where prasadam was served. Hot and spicy puffed rice and tea made of jaggery were the delectable combination of food and beverage every devotee craved for.
Going to the temple used to be the last priority of us children. Fearing elders' wrath, we would hurriedly finish the formality of darshan.
The devotees thronged the fair.
Choose the option which is nearest in meaning to the underlined word.
Thronged Meaning in Context
The question asks us to find the word that means almost the same as 'thronged' in the sentence: "The devotees thronged the fair." This is a vocabulary question testing our understanding of synonyms in a specific situation.
Understanding the Verb 'Thronged'
The word 'thronged' is the past tense of the verb 'throng'. A 'throng' means a large, densely packed crowd of people. When used as a verb, 'thronged' means to gather or assemble in large numbers, often filling up a place.
In the sentence, "The devotees thronged the fair," it means that a large number of devotees went to the fair and gathered there in great numbers.
Analyzing Options for 'Thronged'
Let's look at each option provided:
Option 1: attacked
The word 'attacked' means to physically assault or fight against someone or something. This meaning does not fit the context of devotees going to a fair. Therefore, this option is incorrect.
Option 2: visited
'Visited' means to go to a place. In the sentence, the devotees went to the fair. While 'thronged' suggests they went in large numbers and filled the place, 'visited' captures the basic action of attending the fair. Among the given choices, it represents the fundamental act of going to the location.
Option 3: crowded
'Crowded' means filled with or densely packed with people. The fair would likely become crowded because the devotees thronged it. However, 'crowded' primarily describes the state or condition of the place. If used as a verb ("devotees crowded the fair"), it implies they filled it densely, which is very close to 'thronged'. But 'visited' focuses on the action of the devotees travelling to the fair.
Option 4: appreciated
'Appreciated' means to recognize the value of something or to be grateful for it. This meaning is unrelated to the act of attending the fair. Therefore, this option is incorrect.
Selecting the Best Synonym for 'Thronged'
Based on the analysis, 'visited' is the most appropriate choice among the given options. It correctly identifies the action of the devotees going to the fair, which is the core meaning conveyed by the sentence, even though 'thronged' implies doing so in large numbers.
Important Questions from Synonyms or Antonyms
Directions: Each item in this section consists of a sentence with an underlined word followed by four options, (a), (b), (c) and (d). Select the option that is opposite in meaning to the underlined word and mark your response accordingly.
He had the audacity to blame him.
Directions: Each item in this section consists of a sentence with an underlined word followed by four options, (a), (b), (c) and (d). Select the option that is opposite in meaning to the underlined word and mark your response accordingly.
There is exponential growth in the development of the scientific researches in the recent few decades.
Directions : Item in this section consists of a sentence with an underlined word followed by four words/group of words (a), (b), (c) and (d). Select the option that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word and mark your response in the Answer Sheet accordingly.
The itinerary of the group’s visit to the hills was given to everyone.
Directions : Item in this section consists of a sentence with an underlined word followed by four words/group of words (a), (b), (c) and (d). Select the option that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word and mark your response in the Answer Sheet accordingly.
All mortal elements are impermanent.
Directions : Item in this section consists of a sentence with an underlined word followed by four words (a), (b), (c) and (d). Select the option that is opposite in meaning to the underlined word and mark your response in the Answer Sheet accordingly.
The novel depicts the hapless status of certain sections of society.
