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)

Explanation: Ornithology is the scientific study of birds. Numismatics is the study and collection of coins and medals. Zoology is the scientific study of animals. Anthropology studies human societies, 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)

Explanation: Someone who is illiterate cannot read or write. Blindfolded means having the eyes covered so one cannot see. Headstrong means determined to do as one wishes despite warnings. Invulnerable means impossible to harm or defeat.

(iii) Something that cannot be imitated.
(a) Inimitable
(b) inevitable
(c) duplicity
(d) inexplicable
Ans: (a)

Explanation: Inimitable means incapable of being imitated or duplicated; unique. Duplicity means deceit or double-dealing. Inexplicable means impossible to explain. Inevitable means certain to happen; unavoidable.

(iv) The act of murder of a human being.
(i) matricide
(ii) patricide
(iii) homicide
(iv) suicide
Ans: (c)

Explanation: Homicide means the killing of one human being by another. Matricide is the killing of one's mother. Patricide is the killing of one's father. Suicide is the act of killing oneself.

(v) A life history written by somebody else
(a) biography
(b) autobiography
(c) anthropology
(d) ornithology
Ans: (a)

Explanation: A biography is an account of a person's life written by another person. An autobiography is written by the person themselves. Ornithology is the study of birds. Anthropology studies human societies and cultures.

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)

Explanation: In the given question, we need to select one wordfor the given phrase.

• One-word substitution simply means 'using a specific word to replace a wordy phrase or sentence and making it shorter, concise and clearer to understand.'
• Anthology - a book that contains pieces of writing or poems, often on a similar subject, by different authors.
• Fleet - a group of ships or boats that sail together.
• Catalogue - a list of items, such as goods for sale or works in a library.
• Verbatim - in exactly the same words; word for 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)

Explanation:

• In the given question, we need to select one word for the given phrase.
• One-word substitution simply means 'using a specific word to replace a wordy phrase or sentence and making it shorter, concise and clearer to understand'.
• Espadrille - a light canvas shoe with a plaited fibre (rope) sole.
• Retort - a quick, often sharp reply.
• Patois - a regional dialect, often non‐standard.
• Savage - very cruel or violent.

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

Explanation:

• In the given question, we need to select one word for the given phrase.
• One-word substitution simply means 'using a specific word to replace a wordy phrase or sentence and making it shorter, concise and clearer to understand'.
• Apiarist - a person who keeps bees, especially to produce honey; keeper of an apiary.
• Linguist - a person who studies languages or knows several languages well.
• Florist - a person who sells or arranges flowers.
• Aviarist - a person who keeps birds in an aviary.

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

Explanation:

• In the given question, we need to select one word for the given phrase.
• One-word substitution simply means 'using a specific word to replace a wordy phrase or sentence and making it shorter, concise and clearer to understand'.
• Aural - relating to the ear or the sense of hearing.
• Effeminate - (of a man) having traits traditionally considered feminine.
• Effervescent - lively, enthusiastic, bubbling with energy.
• Hearse - a vehicle used to carry a coffin to a funeral.

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

Explanation:

• In the given question, we need to select one word for the given phrase.
• One-word substitution simply means 'using a specific word to replace a wordy phrase or sentence and making it shorter, concise and clearer to understand'.
• Economical - careful about spending money, time, fuel, etc.; saving resources.
• Effeminate - (used of a man) having qualities traditionally associated with women.
• Economist - a person trained in or engaged in economics.
• Incurable - not able to be cured.

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)

Explanation:

• The phrase describes writhe.
• Writhe means to make continuous twisting, squirming movements or bodily contortions.
• Example: "He was writhing in pain on the ground after the fall."
• Whittle means to carve wood by cutting small slices. Whisper means to speak very softly. Waddle refers to walking with short steps, often rocking from side to side.

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

Explanation:

• The correct term is xenogenous.
• Xenogenous means originating from outside or derived from a foreign source.
• Example: "Xenogenous cultural elements influenced the local traditions."
• Xeric means very dry or adapted to dry conditions. Wean means to accustom (a child or animal) to food other than its mother's milk. Worth relates to value.

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

Explanation:

• Xanthochroism refers to a condition or trait where an individual has unusually fair or yellowish pigmentation in skin, hair and eyes; it is used to denote light colouring in those features.
• Woad is a plant formerly used to produce blue dye. Wisteria is a flowering plant. Xenotransplantation refers to transplanting organs or tissues between different species.

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)

Explanation:

• Xylology is the scientific study of wood, including its structure, composition and properties.
• For example, a xylologist might analyse different woods to determine suitability for construction, furniture or musical instruments.
• Woodlore refers to knowledge and skills relating to woodlands and traditional woodland crafts. Xenography relates to foreign writing or description. Web developer is unrelated to the study of wood.

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)

Explanation:

• Xerophyte refers to a plant adapted to survive with very little water, for example cacti and many desert shrubs.
• Webworm is a moth whose larvae spin webs on plants. Wisteria is a climbing flowering plant. Xenophile describes a person attracted to foreign peoples or cultures.