Worksheet Solutions: One Word Substitutions | English Grammar Basic - Class 10 PDF Download

Q1: Choose an option, which can be substituted for a given word/sentence/phrase out of given options.
(i) Study of birds
(a) ornithology
(b) anthropology
(c) zoology
(d) numismatics
Ans: (a)
Ornithology is the study of birds.The study and collection of coins and medals is called numismatics.Zoology is the scientific study of animals. Anthropology is study of human customs and beliefs.
(ii) Gayatri doesn't know how to read and write .Her friends call her ..
(i) Illiterate
(ii) invulnerable
(iii) blindfolded
(iv) headstrong
Ans: (a)
Someone who is illitrate cannot read or write.Being blindfolded means to impair the awareness or clear thinking of. Headstrong means determined to do what you want even if other people warn you not to do it.Invulnerable means impossible to defeat or harm.

(iii) Something that cannot be imitated.
(a) Inimitable
(b) inevitable
(c) duplicity
(d) inexplicable
Ans: (a)
Incapable of being duplicated or imitated; unique is inimitable.The word duplicity means dishonest behaviour that is intended to trick someone.Something that is impossible to explain is called inexplicable and something that is impossible to avoid or prevent is termed as inevitable.

(iv) The act of murder of a human being.
(i) matricide
(ii) patricide
(iii) homicide
(iv) suicide
Ans: (c)
Homicide means the killing of a human being by another person.The crime of killing your mother is termed as matricide.The crime of killing your father is called patricide.

(v) A life history written by somebody else
(a) biography
(b) autobiography
(c) anthropology
(d) ornithology
Ans: (a)
Biography is an account of the series of events making up a person's life.Autobiography is a book about your life that you write yourself.The scientific studies of birds is called orinthology.The study of human societies, customs and beliefs is called anthropology.

Q2: Select the word which means the same as the group of words given.
(i) A collection of poems
(a) Fleet
(b) Verbatim
(c) Catalogue
(d) Anthology
Ans: (d)

• In the given question, we need to select one word for the given phrase.
• One-word substitution simply means 'using a specific word replacing a wordy phrase or sentence and making it shorter, concise and clearer to under

Let's have a look at the meaning of the given options:-

• Anthology- a book that contains pieces of writing or poems, often on the same subject, by different authors.
• Fleet- a group of ships or boats that sail together.
• Catalogue- a list of all the things that you can buy, see, etc. somewhere.
• Verbatim- exactly as it was same word

(ii) A light shoe made of strong cloth with a sole made of rope
(a) Retort
(b) Patois
(c) Espadrille
(d) Savage
Ans: (c)

• In the given question, we need to select one word for the given phrase.
• One-word substitution simply means 'using a specific word replacing a wordy phrase or sentence and making it shorter, concise and clearer to understand'.

Let's have a look at the meaning of the given options:-

• Espadrille- a light canvas shoe with a plaited fibre sole.
• Retort- to reply quickly to what somebody says, in an angry or amusing way.
• Patois- the dialect of a particular region, especially one with low status in relation to the standard language of the country.
• Savage- very cruel or violent.

(iii) Someone who keeps bees
(a) Florist
(b) Linguist
(c) Apiarist
(d) Aviarist
Ans: (c)

• In the given question, we need to select one word for the given phrase.
• One-word substitution simply means 'using a specific word replacing a wordy phrase or sentence and making it shorter, concise and clearer to understand'.

Let's have a look at the meaning of the given options:-

• Apiarist- a person who keeps bees, especially to produce honey; a person who keeps an apiary.
• Linguist- a person who knows several foreign languages well.
• Florist- a person who has or works in a shop where flowers are sold.
• Aviarist- one who keeps an aviary.

(iv) Relating to the ear or the sense of hearing
(a) Effervescent
(b) Effeminate
(c) Hearse
(d) Aural
Ans: (d)

• In the given question, we need to select one word for the given phrase.
• One-word substitution simply means 'using a specific word replacing a wordy phrase or sentence and making it shorter, concise and clearer to understand'.

Let's have a look at the meaning of the given options:-

• Effeminate- (with reference to a man) having characteristics and ways of behaving traditionally associated with women and regarded as inappropriate for a man.
• Effervescent- (used about people and their behaviour) excited, enthusiastic and full of energy.
• Hearse- a large car used for carrying a dead person to his/her funeral.
• Aural- relating to the ear or the sense of hearing.

(v) Careful in the spending of money or time
(a) Effeminate
(b) Economical
(c) Economist
(d) Incurable
Ans: (b)

• In the given question, we need to select one word for the given phrase.
• One-word substitution simply means 'using a specific word replacing a wordy phrase or sentence and making it shorter, concise and clearer to understand'.

Let's have a look at the meaning of the given options:-

• Economical- that costs or uses less time, money, fuel, etc. than usual.
• Effeminate- (used about a man or his behaviour) like a woman.
• Economist- a person who studies or is an expert in economics.
• Incurable- that cannot be cured or made better.

Q3: Which term refers to making continuous twisting, squirming movements or contortions of the body?
(a) Writhe
(b) Whittle
(c) Whisper
(d) Waddle
Ans: (a)
Key Points

• The given phrase describes writhing.
• 'Writhe' in English means to make continuous twisting, squirming movements or contortions of the body
• For example- "He was writhing in pain on the ground after the fall."
• Writhe typically refers to continual twisting or squirming movements or contortions of the body. 

Q4: Which term describes something originating outside or from a foreign origin?
(a) Worth
(b) Xeric
(c) Wean
(d) Xenogenous
Ans: (d)
Key Points

• The given phrase is describing something xenogenous.
• 'Xenogenous' in English refers to something that originates outside or from a foreign origin.
• For example-  "Xenogenous cultural elements significantly influenced the country's local traditions."
• Xenogenous refers to something derived or originated from an outside source. 

Q5: What term represents someone with fair skin, light hair, and eyes?
(a) Woad
(b) Xanthochroism
(c) Wisteria
(d) Xenotransplantation
Ans: (b)
Key Points

• 'Xanthochroism' refers to the phenomenon where an individual has fair or light colored skin, hair, and eyes.
• 'Woad' is an old world plant used formerly to produce blue dye.

Q6: What is the study of the structure, composition, and the nature of wood known as?
(a) Woodlore
(b) Xenography
(c) Xylology
(d) Web developer
Ans: (c)
Key Points

• Xylology is the scientific study of wood, including its physiological and structural properties.
  • For example, a xylologist would analyze different types of wood to determine their suitability for various uses.
• Woodlore refers to knowledge and skills relating to woodlands, traditionally associated with outdoor survival skills.

Q7: What do you call a species of plant that has adaptations to survive in an environment with little liquid water?
(a) Xerophyte
(b) Webworm
(c) Wisteria
(d) Xenophile
Ans: (a)
Key Points

• Xerophyte refers to plant species that have adaptations to survive with little water.
• Webworm is a moth of family Crambidae, known for its larvae stage where it produces silky webs on the plant it inhabits.