Which of the following sentences uses the word "desert" with the same meaning as in the following sentence? "We had to desert the ship after the engine failed"
He would never desert his friends in their time of need.
This question tests polysemy: the same spelling 'desert' carries more than one meaning, and the goal is to match the specific sense used in the given sentence.
In 'We had to desert the ship after the engine failed', 'desert' is a verb, stressed on the second syllable, meaning to abandon or leave something behind in difficulty.
Option A, 'The Mojave Desert is known for its extreme heat', uses 'desert' as a proper-noun place name for an arid region, a different sense.
Options B and C, 'animals that live in the desert' and 'an oasis in the middle of the vast desert', both use 'desert' as a common noun for dry, sandy land, again not the verb.
Only option D, 'He would never desert his friends in their time of need', uses 'desert' as a verb meaning to abandon or forsake people.
That verbal sense of leaving someone in the lurch parallels abandoning the ship in the original sentence exactly.
Rule: match the grammatical role and meaning, not just the spelling; the matching verb use is He would never desert his friends in their time of need.
Similar Questions
Which of the following sentences uses the word "bank" with the same meaning as in the following sentence?
"The river overflowed its bank after the storm."
Which of the following sentences uses the word "close" with the same meaning as in the following sentence?
"Please be sure to close the door when you leave"
Which word can best replace spell?
They were caught in a spell of silence, each deep in thought.
Read the passage and answer the following question:
Japan is often admired around the world for its high level of discipline and social order. From childhood, Japanese people are taught to respect rules, value punctuality, and prioritise community welfare over individual interests. This cultural emphasis on discipline has played a major role in Japan’s remarkable progress and social harmony.
One can see examples of discipline in everyday life, people stand in neat lines at stations, streets are clean despite a lack of dustbins, and public spaces are rarely damaged. The Japanese education system also strongly focuses on moral training, teamwork, and responsibility. Such habits help develop a sense of collective responsibility among citizens.
During times of crisis, such as natural disasters, the discipline of Japanese people becomes even more evident. They remain calm, organised, and cooperative, which makes recovery faster and more effective. This cultural value has not only strengthened their society internally but has also earned Japan a reputation for efficiency and respect on the global stage.
In the sentence:
“The Japanese education system also strongly focuses on moral training, teamwork, and responsibility,” why is the verb “focuses” used instead of “focus”?
In the sentence:
“The Japanese education system also strongly focuses on moral training, teamwork, and responsibility,”
why is the verb “focuses” used instead of “focus”?
Important Questions from Correct Usage of Word
Select the segment in which a word has been INCORRECTLY used.
Is the Abominable Snowman a friction of the mountaineers’ imagination?The officer under suspension felt intimated by the committee members during his interrogation regarding the allegations against him.
Amongst them all, she was the only one with the perquisite to understand the complexity of the situation.
At the official function organised for the attending dignitaries, guests arrived in scrumptious attire for the banquet.
The lake atop the mountain has always been the lyre for intrepid hikers.
