All Exams Test series for 1 year @ ₹349 only
Question

The village headman was old and cantankerous.

This question was previously asked in
CDS 2 2024 Maths Question Paper (01-Sep-2024)
The correct answer is
ill-tempered

Understanding Cantankerous

The question describes the village headman using the word 'cantankerous'. The word cantankerous means someone who is bad-tempered, argumentative, and uncooperative. It describes a person who is often grumpy and complains a lot.

Analyzing the Options

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

  • polite: This means having good manners and being respectful. It is the opposite of cantankerous.
  • ill-tempered: This means easily made angry or annoyed; bad-tempered. This closely matches the definition of cantankerous.
  • weak: This usually refers to a lack of physical strength or power, or sometimes a lack of conviction. It doesn't directly relate to someone's temperament or mood.
  • serious: This means solemn or thoughtful in mood or disposition. While a cantankerous person might seem serious, 'serious' doesn't capture the argumentative and bad-tempered aspect.

Identifying the Correct Meaning

Comparing the options with the meaning of cantankerous (bad-tempered, argumentative, uncooperative), the best synonym is ill-tempered. The description suggests the village headman had a difficult personality and was likely prone to anger or arguments.

Was this answer helpful?

Similar Questions

  1. As a person Mohan is generally considered to be parsimonious.
  2. He is often accused of being iniquitous in his conduct.
  3. The leader's views were equivocal on the contentious issue.
  4. The authorities interacted with a group of mutinous students.
  5. His behaviour was quite belligerent.
  6. He was effusive in his praise.
  7. Psychological problems among the youth can be attributed to the pernicious influence of the Internet.
  8. Our teacher told us not to be verbose while writing.
  9. The actor narrated the story in a resonant voice.
  10. They were fed-up with his doltish behaviour.

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.

Need Expert Advice?
Test Series
CDS img
Defence
UPSC CDS 2026 Mock Test Series
559 Tests 4 Tests Free
1778 Attempts
4.3(192)
English, Hindi
More Questions from CDS

Start Your Preparation with Prepp Mobile App

Download the app from Google Play & App Store
Download the app from Google Play & App Store
Prepp Mobile App