Read the below poem and answer the questions 66 - 70: Over the soughing of the sombre wind, priests chant louder than ever: the mouth of Indian opens. Crocodiles move into deeper water. Mornings of heated middens Smoke under the sun The good wife lies in my bed through the long afternoon dreaming still, unexhausted by the deep roar of funeral pyres
Which of the following is not the meaning of Sombre?
sober
Understanding the Word Sombre in the Poem
The question asks us to identify which of the given options is not a meaning of the word "Sombre" as used in the poem. The poem mentions "Over the soughing of the sombre wind". Let's look at the common meanings of the word "Sombre".
Meanings of Sombre
The word 'sombre' is an adjective. It is often used to describe something that is dark, gloomy, or serious. Let's consider the different ways it can be used:
- Dark or Dull in Colour: Used to describe colours that are not bright, e.g., "sombre colours like grey and brown".
- Gloomy, Depressing, or Sad: Used to describe a mood, atmosphere, or feeling, e.g., "a sombre mood", "a sombre occasion like a funeral".
- Serious or Solemn: Can describe a person's expression or attitude, e.g., "a sombre expression on his face".
Analyzing the Options
Now, let's examine each option provided and see if it aligns with the meanings of "Sombre":
- dark: This is a very common meaning of sombre, especially when describing colours or the general atmosphere (dark and gloomy).
- dull: Similar to dark, dull suggests a lack of brightness or vibrancy, which aligns with the visual or atmospheric sense of sombre.
- sad: This is a key meaning of sombre when referring to mood, feeling, or an event. A sombre mood is a sad mood.
- sober: Sober can mean not intoxicated, or it can mean serious, sensible, or restrained. While "sombre" can mean serious, "sober" doesn't typically carry the strong connotation of darkness, gloom, or sadness that the other options do. For example, a meeting can be sober (serious), but not necessarily sombre (dark/sad). A person can be sober (not drunk) without being sombre.
Identifying the Meaning That Is Not Sombre
Comparing the options, "dark", "dull", and "sad" are all meanings closely associated with "Sombre". The word "sober", while sharing a slight overlap in meaning (seriousness) in some contexts, does not capture the primary sense of darkness, gloominess, or sadness that is central to "Sombre". Therefore, "sober" is the word that is not a direct meaning of "Sombre".
Important Questions from Reading Comprehension
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:
When do people use resources exhaustively?
The self-interest of people affects the use of renewable resources
People rooted in a locality
Which among the following is closest in meaning with the word 'deplete'?
