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Question

Read the passage given and answer the questions that follow. Your answers should be based only on the passage.

Curiosity is the desire to learn, to understand new things, and to know how they work. Curiosity can manifest in many ways, as the desire to read the gossip columns or watch reality shows on TV, or as the desire to know about people and their lives. It can also manifest as the desire to accumulate knowledge about science, geography, or other topics, or as the urge to know how to fix things. Curiosity is the expression of the urge to learn and acquire facts and knowledge. It widens the mind and opens it to different opinions, different lifestyles, and different topics. Curious people ask questions, read and explore. They are active in seeking information or experience and are willing to meet challenges and to broaden their horizons . They are not shy to ask questions and delve deeply into the topic that interests them.

Curiosity can be directed to _______ and ________ details, or to matters that are more important. It can also lead to learning, acquiring knowledge, and becoming an expert in one’s field. Curiosity is a vital ingredient for becoming a good journalist, writer, inventor, or scientist. Curiosity is important for excelling in any job and doing it better, because you ask questions, learn from others, and look for ways to do your job better. The mind of curious people is active. They want to know and to understand. This puts them in a better position to learn a job and do it better and more creatively, unlike a person who lacks curiosity. When curious people fail, they analyze their failure, because they are keen on knowing the reasons, so they can do better the next time. This increases their chances for success. Being curious is important for excelling in any job and doing it better, because you ask questions, learn from others, and look for ways to do your job better.

Which of the following has a similar meaning to “ acquire ” in the context of the passage?

The correct answer is

Obtain

The question asks us to find the word that has a similar meaning to "acquire" as used in the provided passage. We need to carefully read the sentences in the passage where the word "acquire" appears to understand its context.

Understanding the Word "Acquire" in the Passage

The passage uses the word "acquire" in the following phrases:

  • "Curiosity is the expression of the urge to learn and acquire facts and knowledge."
  • "It can also lead to learning, acquiring knowledge, and becoming an expert in one’s field."

In both instances, "acquire" is associated with gaining or getting facts, knowledge, or experience. It refers to the act of coming into possession of information or understanding through learning or effort.

Analyzing the Options

Let's look at the given options and their meanings:

  • Analyze: To examine something methodically and in detail, typically in order to explain or interpret it. This is different from gaining or getting something.
  • Expression: The process of making known one's thoughts or feelings. It can also mean a word or phrase. This is not related to gaining knowledge.
  • Learning: The acquisition of knowledge or skills through study, experience, or being taught. While related to "acquiring knowledge," "learning" is the process, whereas "acquire" refers more directly to gaining possession of the knowledge itself.
  • Excelling: To be exceptionally good at or proficient in an activity or subject. This describes a high level of performance, not the act of gaining something.
  • Obtain: To get, acquire, or secure something. This word directly means to gain possession of something, which aligns with the use of "acquire" in the passage to mean gaining facts or knowledge.

Identifying the Best Synonym

Based on the analysis, "obtain" is the word that is most similar in meaning to "acquire" in the context of the passage. When you "acquire facts and knowledge," you "obtain facts and knowledge." Both words convey the idea of gaining possession or access to something, in this case, information and understanding.

Therefore, "obtain" is the correct synonym for "acquire" as used in the passage.

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Important Questions from Reading Comprehension

  1. 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:

  2. When do people use resources exhaustively?

  3. The self-interest of people affects the use of renewable resources

  4. People rooted in a locality

  5. Which among the following is closest in meaning with the word 'deplete'?

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