In the following question, a sentence with a blank is given, followed by five words labeled (1), (2), (3), (4), and (5).
Choose the word that fills the blank appropriately in the context of the passage.
Often lauded as the "Pensioner's Paradise," Bangalore's climate (1) ______ a peculiar amalgamation of temperate breezes, erratic showers, and sun-drenched tranquility. During the early hours, a gauzy mist (2) ______ across the avenues, interweaving with the silhouettes of rain trees and colonial bungalows. By midday, however, the capricious temperament of the city asserts itself; cumulus clouds burgeon with astonishing alacrity, heralding brief but truculent showers. The fragrance of petrichor that (3) ______ earthiness, ascends from the soil, an olfactory benediction. Despite Bangalore's once-famed equanimity, urban sprawl has initiated climatic aberrations; seasons blend into each other with an almost imperceptible (4) desuetude of traditional patterns.
Evenings in Bangalore are imbued with a languorous coolness, suffused by whispering breezes that would had it not been for pollution, might have carried the pristine scent of blooming cassias. As the city grapples with its evolving climatic identity, one wonders whether the mellifluous interludes of sun, mist, and rain shall remain a (5) vestige or a continuum.
Vestige Meaning in Context
This question requires understanding the meaning of the word "vestige" as it is used within the provided passage describing Bangalore's climate.
Vestige: Definition and Usage
The word vestige refers to a trace or remnant of something that existed in the past but is now disappearing or has largely disappeared. It often signifies a small part or sign left behind.
Passage Sentence Analysis
The relevant sentence from the passage is: "As the city grapples with its evolving climatic identity, one wonders whether the mellifluous interludes of sun, mist, and rain shall remain a (5) vestige or a continuum."
- The phrase "evolving climatic identity" suggests that Bangalore's climate is changing.
- The sentence contrasts the concept of a vestige with a "continuum". A continuum implies something that is ongoing, unbroken, and continuous.
- Therefore, a vestige, in this context, represents the opposite of continuity – it signifies something that is fading away, a mere trace of what was once more prevalent or constant.
Option Comparison for Vestige
Let's examine each option to see which best matches the definition of "vestige" in the given context:
| Option | Meaning | Relevance to "Vestige" |
| 1. An expanding frontier | Suggests growth into new areas, which is contrary to a remnant of the past. | Not relevant. |
| 2. A rapidly evolving trend | Implies a current or future pattern of change, not a trace of what's fading. | Not relevant. |
| 3. A small surviving remnant | This directly aligns with the definition of a vestige – a small part that remains after the rest has gone or changed. | Highly relevant. This fits the context of climatic elements becoming less prominent. |
| 4. A massive innovation | Refers to a new and significant development, which is unrelated to remnants of the past. | Not relevant. |
Final Conclusion
The passage questions whether the pleasant climatic experiences in Bangalore will persist as continuous elements (a continuum) or simply exist as faint traces of former conditions (a vestige). Among the given options, "a small surviving remnant" most accurately captures the meaning of vestige in this context, representing something that is left over from the past but is diminishing.
Similar Questions
- Which of the following best describes the grammatical structure of the sentence:
"This deep connection between space and time implies that the passage of time is not universal but relative:"? In the phrase "Objects moving within this curved space-time follow geodesics", what is the function of the word "moving"?
In the sentence "Gravity is no longer thought of as a force in the Newtonian sense but rather as the curvature of space-time...", what does the word "curvature" most likely refer to?
- Choose correct tense. (1)
- The word "desuetude" most nearly means: (4)
- Choose correct verb form.(2)
- Choose correct descriptive phrase:(3)
Why did the King give the order?
What happened when the king's order was given?
Taking the story forward, who do you think is most likely to be credited by the author to find the solution to the problem?
Important Questions from Reading Comprehension
What is the meaning of ‘intrigued’?
What are ice shelves?
What are icebergs?
When the iceberg turns upside down, it appears ________.
The use of science in its simple form has helped man to ____________
