Synonyms Previous Year Questions with Solutions

Q.1. Which of the following words are synonymous with the word Spouting?    (CLAT, 2020)
(a) Pouring
(b) Streaming
(c) Erupting
(d) All of the above

Correct Answer is Option (d)

The snow was falling, and the Cat’s fur was stiffly pointed with it, but he was imperturbable. lie sat crouched, ready for the death-spring, as he had sat for hours. It was night but that made no difference, all times were as one to the Cat when he was in wait for prey. Then, too, he was under no constraint of human will, for he was living alone that winter. Nowhere in the world was any voice calling him; on no hearth was there a waiting dish. He was quite free except for his own desires, which tyrannized over him when unsatisfied as now.
The Cat was very hungry, almost famished, in fact. For days the weather had been very bitter...and the Cat’s long hunt had availed him nothing. But he waited with the inconceivable patience and persistency of his race; besides, he was certain. The Cat was a creature of absolute convictions, and his faith in his deductions never wavered. The rabbit had gone in there between those low-hung pine boughs.
The Cat had seen her enter...so he sat down and waited, and he waited still in the white night, listening angrily to the north wind starting in the upper heights of the mountains with distant screams, then swelling into an awful crescendo of rage, and swooping down with furious white wings of snow like a flock of fierce eagles into the valleys and ravines. The Cat was on the side of a mountain, on a wooded terrace. Above him, a few feet away towered the rock ascent as steep as the wall of a cathedral.
He had often looked with wonder at the rock, and mauled bitterly and resentfully as man does in the face of a forbidding Providence. At his left was the sheer precipice. Behind him...was the frozen perpendicular wall of a mountain stream. Before him was the way to his home. When the rabbit came out she was trapped; her little cloven feet could not scale such unbroken steeps. So the Cat waited.
The tangle of trees and bushes clinging to the mountain-side with a stern clutch of roots, the prostrate trunks and branches, the vines embracing everything with strong knots and coils of growth, had a curious effect, as of things which had whirled for ages in a current of raging water, only it was not water, but wind, which had disposed everything in circling lines of yielding to its fiercest points of onset. It was as if ice needles pricked his skin through his beautiful thick fur, but he never faltered and never once cried. He had nothing to gain from crying, and everything to lose; the rabbit would hear him cry and know he was waiting. 

Q.2. Which of the following suggests a synonymous meaning to the words Providence and Crescendo respectively?    (CLAT, 2020)
(a) Nemesis, Apex
(b) Zenith, Nadir
(c) Laxity, Prudence
(d) Short-sightedness, Upsurge

Correct Answer is Option (a)

Explanation: 

Providence means "the protective care of God or of nature." Synonyms for providence include fate, destiny, and nemesis. Crescendo means "a gradual increase in loudness or intensity." Synonyms for crescendo include apex, peak, and pinnacle.

Therefore, the only option that suggests a synonymous meaning to the words providence and crescendo respectively is (a), nemesis and apex.

Q.3. The systematic vilification of facts and expertise, the violent abnegation of diverse thought, the constant blasts of paranoia-stoking crime reports and patriotic sound bites on an inescapable news network—could this be more now?    (NLUD 2020)

(a) indulgence
(b) acceptance
(c) denial
(d) adoption

Correct Answer is Option (b)

Explanation :

The passage describes a society in which facts and expertise are vilified, diverse thought is violently rejected, and people are constantly bombarded with paranoia-stoking crime reports and patriotic sound bites on an inescapable news network. This is a society that has accepted this situation as the new normal, and the answer that best reflects this is (b), acceptance.

The other answers are incorrect because they do not reflect the tone of the passage. Indulgence (a) suggests that the society is enjoying the situation, which is not the case. Denial (c) suggests that the society is in denial about the situation, which is also not the case. Adoption (d) suggests that the society is adopting the situation as its own, which is also not the case.

Q.4. Her 2014 autobiography, A Fighting Chance, and recent stump speeches are festooned in pep club spirit and folksy blandishments, cloying bits of business that have attached themselves to her life story.     (NLUD 2020)
(a) cajolery
(b) roughness
(c) criticism
(d) bully

Correct Answer is Option (a)

Explanation: 

The passage describes the autobiography and speeches of a politician as being full of pep club spirit and folksy blandishments. This suggests that the politician is using cajolery, or flattery and persuasion, to win over her audience.

The other answers are incorrect because they do not reflect the tone of the passage. Roughness (b) suggests that the politician is being harsh or abrasive, which is not the case. Criticism (c) suggests that the politician is being negative or judgmental, which is also not the case. Bully (d) suggests that the politician is being aggressive or threatening, which is also not the case.

Q.5. Were other international trade negotiations to be put back because of the virus — for example those being conducted between London and Washington — Britain's government could start to look obdurate about the Brexit talks.     (NLUD 2020)
(a) sensitive
(b) illusive
(c) flexible
(d) callous

Correct Answer is Option (d)

Explanation: 

The passage suggests that if other international trade negotiations are put back because of the virus, Britain's government could start to be less willing to compromise in the Brexit talks. This suggests that the government would be less sensitive to the needs of the other parties involved in the negotiations, and more likely to ignore their concerns. This would make the government appear callous.

The other answers are incorrect because they do not reflect the tone of the passage. Sensitive (a) suggests that the government would be too easily hurt or offended, which is not the case. Illusive (b) suggests that the government would be difficult to understand or grasp, which is also not the case. Flexible (c) suggests that the government would be willing to change its position, which is not the case.

Directions (Qs. 6 and 7): Choose the word that is nearest in meaning to the given word.
Q.6. Abrogate    (D.U. LL.B., 2018)
(a) Revoke informally
(b) Revoke formally
(c) Accept informally
(d) Accept formally

Correct Answer is Option (b)

Abrogate (D.U. LL.B., 2018) refers to the act of formally revoking or canceling something, usually a law or agreement. The correct answer is option (b) - Revoke formally.

Q.7. Extol    (D.U. LL.B., 2018)
(a) Glorify
(b) Dishonour
(c) Provoke
(d) Announce

Correct Answer is Option (a)

Extol (D.U. LL.B., 2018) means to praise or glorify someone or something highly. The correct answer is option (a) - Glorify.

Directions (Qs. 8-10): Choose the option closest to the Capitalized word.

Q.8. ANNIHILATE    (CLAT, 2018)
(a) devastate
(b) delay
(c) investigate
(d) retaliate

Correct Answer is Option (a)

ANNIHILATE (CLAT, 2018) means to completely destroy or devastate something. The correct answer is option (a) - devastate.

Q.9. FACILITATE    (CLAT, 2018)
(a) lend
(b) share
(c) support
(d) serve

Correct Answer is Option (c)

 FACILITATE (CLAT, 2018) means to make something easier or to help bring it about. The correct answer is option (c) - support. 

Q.10. CAMPAIGN    (CLAT, 2018)
(a) lobby
(b) run
(c) agree
(d) work

Correct Answer is Option (a)

CAMPAIGN (CLAT, 2018) refers to a series of activities or events designed to achieve a particular goal, often in the context of politics or social issues. The correct answer is option (a) - lobby. 

Q.11. It was marvellous to see how gingerly, the little beasts footed it in such places.
Choose the synonym of the word gingerly.    (NLU Delhi, 2017)
(a) roughly
(b) assiduously
(c) rashly
(d) carelessly

Correct Answer is Option (b)

Gingerly, in the context of the sentence, means to perform an action carefully or with great caution. The correct synonym is option (b) - assiduously. 

Directions (Qs. 12 to 29): Choose the word which is most nearly the SAME in meaning to the bold word from the given options.

Q.12. Gospels    (CLAT, 2013)
(a) Chitchat
(b) A teaching or doctrine of a religious teacher
(c) Rumour
(d) Guidance

Correct Answer is Option (b)

Gospels: The correct answer is option (b) because "Gospels" refers to the teachings or doctrines of a religious teacher. 

Q.13. Vogue    (CLAT, 2013)
(a) Uncertain
(b) Out-dated
(c) The prevailing fashion or style
(d) Journey

Correct Answer is Option (c)

Vogue: The correct answer is option (c) because "Vogue" refers to the prevailing fashion or style at a particular time.

Q.14. Shrewd    (D.U., LL.B., 2013)
(a) Erudite
(b) Profound
(c) August
(d) Artful

Correct Answer is Option (d)

Shrewd: The correct answer is option (d) because "Shrewd" refers to being artful or having a sharp understanding and keen judgment, especially in practical matters. 

Q.15. Aberration    (NLU, Delhi, 2013)
(a) Deviation
(b) Embarrassment
(c) Abhorrence
(d) Absence

Correct Answer is Option (a)

Aberration: The correct answer is option (a) because "Aberration" refers to a deviation from what is normal, usual, or expected. 

Q.16. Potpourri    (NLU, Delhi, 2013)
(a) Medley
(b) Dose
(c) Weird
(d) Overabundance

Correct Answer is Option (a)

Potpourri: The correct answer is option (a) because "Potpourri" refers to a medley or mixture of various things, often used to describe a collection of different items. 

Q.17. Imposture    (NLU, Delhi, 2013)
(a) Claim
(b) Status
(c) Destruction
(d) Deception

Correct Answer is Option (d)

 Imposture: The correct answer is option (d) because "Imposture" refers to deception, especially by pretending to be someone or something that one is not.

Q.18. Parley    (NLU, Delhi, 2013)
(a) Discuss
(b) Deliver
(c) Sweeten
(d) Race

Correct Answer is Option (a)

Parley: The correct answer is option (a) because "Parley" refers to a discussion or conference, often between opposing parties in a conflict or dispute. 

Q.19. Lethargy    (CLAT, 2012)
(a) serenity
(b) listlessness
(c) impassivity
(d) laxity

Correct Answer is Option (a)

Lethargy: The correct answer is option (b) because "Lethargy" refers to a state of listlessness, sluggishness, or lack of energy.

Q.20. Emaciated    (CLAT, 2012)
(a) tall
(b) languid
(c) very thin
(d) wise

Correct Answer is Option (c)

Emaciated: The correct answer is option (c) because "Emaciated" refers to being very thin, often as a result of illness or malnutrition. 

Q.21. Latent    (CLAT, 2012)
(a) concealed
(b) apparent
(c) lethargic
(d) prompt

Correct Answer is Option (a)

Latent (CLAT, 2012)
The word "latent" means something that is hidden or concealed, not currently visible or active, but with the potential to become so. In this context, the correct answer is option (a) concealed.

Q.22. Sporadic    (CLAT, 2012)
(a) epidemic
(b) whirling
(c) occasional
(d) stagnant

Correct Answer is Option (c)

Sporadic (CLAT, 2012)
"Sporadic" refers to something that occurs irregularly, infrequently, or in a scattered manner. The correct answer is option (c) occasional, as it best describes the nature of sporadic events.

Q.23. Compendium    (CLAT, 2012)
(a) summary
(b) index
(c) reference
(d) collection

Correct Answer is Option (d)

Compendium (CLAT, 2012)
A compendium is a collection of concise but detailed information about a particular subject, typically in a book or other publication. The correct answer is option (d) collection. 

Q.24. Vague    (D.U. LL.B, 2012)
(a) Inadequate
(b) Insignificant
(c) Nebulous
(d) Meaningless

Correct Answer is Option (b)

 Vague (D.U. LL.B, 2012)
The word "vague" means not clearly expressed, defined, or understood. In this context, the correct answer is option (c) nebulous, which means hazy, unclear, or ill-defined. 

Q.25. Fatigue    (D.U. LL.B, 2012)
(a) Sleepy
(b) Weariness
(c) Drowsiness
(d) Sweating

Correct Answer is Option (b)

Fatigue (D.U. LL.B, 2012)
Fatigue refers to extreme tiredness or exhaustion, usually resulting from mental or physical exertion or illness. The correct answer is option (b) weariness, which is another term for fatigue.

Q.26. Debonair    (D.U. LL.B, 2012)
(a) Confident
(b) Elegant
(c) Charming
(d) Stylish

Correct Answer is Option (b)

Debonair (D.U. LL.B, 2012)
Debonair is an adjective used to describe a person who is confident, stylish, and charming, often with a sense of sophistication. The correct answer is option (b) elegant, which is a characteristic of a debonair person. 

Q.27. Carve    (D.U. LL.B, 2012)
(a) Acquire
(b) Cover
(c) Drive
(d) Engrave

Correct Answer is Option (d)

Carve (D.U. LL.B, 2012)
To carve means to cut or engrave a hard material, typically wood or stone, into a desired shape or pattern. The correct answer is option (d) engrave. 

Q.28. His speech was nothing but a string of platitudes    (NLU, Delhi, 2012)
(a) grant statements
(b) stereo-typed statements
(c) noble sentiments
(d) humorous anecdotes

Correct Answer is Option (b)

A platitude is a trite, banal, or overused statement or remark, often intended to sound meaningful but lacking in originality. The correct answer is option (b) stereo-typed statements. 
Q.29. Lynch    (NLU, Delhi, 2012)
(a) Hang
(b) Madden
(c) Killed
(d) Shoot

Correct Answer is Option (c)

To lynch means to kill someone, typically by hanging, as a punishment for a perceived crime or offense, usually without a legal trial. In this context, the correct answer is option (c) killed, since it describes the outcome of a lynching.