TOPIC NAME

Introduction
Knowledge and use of Synonyms, or words which have the same or similar meanings, is essential for academic and
professional success. One need to know and apply synonyms to paraphrase a text in one’s own words, to pen a
creative piece, to write summaries, reports and letters, to successfully clear verbal ability and language exams and
to prove one’s proficiency in a language. Ability to use synonyms helps in bringing variety and accuracy in
expression of thought as synonyms clearly convey a variety of situational meanings and not just the denotation or
the literal sense. Thus, one can choose the best fit word or the right phrase for a given situation and avoid repetition
of words. As vocabulary items, synonyms do foster vivid, effective communication.
Roget’s International Thesaurus, 8th Edition, 2019 lists more than 4 million synonyms and phrases categorized
under 1075 key words or ideas. Usage of synonyms is a key feature of everyday English. This indicates that a
student preparing for professional life needs to consistently work on enhancing one’s vocabulary, especially in using
synonyms for expressing unique ideas in a relevant manner.

Competitive exams and Synonyms

The language section of all competitive exams, placement tests, besides standardized language proficiency tests
include question items on usage of synonyms. Such questions are included with an aim to shortlist or identify
candidates who have requisite vocabulary and linguistic competence in English language to handle the rigors of
professional life. In specific, there can be multiple choice questions of two types:
1. Find and select the synonym of a select word

2. Find the odd one out from a given set of words

Synonym -Key Characteristics

A synonym has denotative or dictionary meaning and a connotative meaning or situational meaning or usage.
 A Synonym is to be understood as a lexical item or a guide word which can substitute a select word due to
its equivalency in context and its class viz. noun with a noun, adjective with an adjective, verb with a verb,
adverb with an adverb etc.

 There are two key aspects to synonyms- of equivalency and of association. First, a synonym of a select
word is usually identified only if it expresses the same item or thing in a new way. Next, a synonym is
recognized in terms of being associated to an idea and of being nearest or closest in meaning to the idea.

 The proximity of association and meaning makes certain words synonymous. Farther a word is from
another word in its meaning leads to it being identified as non- synonymous.
 Table-1: Top tips to identify a Synonym:
 Carefully read the entire sentence in which the select word, the word to be matched with, is
located.
 If looking for a synonym in a paragraph, quickly scan to pinpoint the location of the select word.
Then, carefully read the sentence and get the context and word usage.
 Remember, a synonym can be an exact substitute for a select word.
 Remember, a synonym has more than one usage or has contextual meaning and literal meaning
as well.
 Remember, a synonym can be a one-word substitute of a lengthy definition, or a collective noun.
 Look for context clues, such as definitions, descriptions of the underlined words in the lines and
sentences, before and after the specific sentence.
 Scan for discourse markers viz. ‘as’, ‘not as ’ , contrast markers such as ‘however’ followed by
‘not’. Such clues can point out what is not being described, or indicate the scope or limitation to a
meaning.
 Read a given example and understand the context or setting of the word. Follow the discourse
markers viz. ‘such as’, ‘for instance’

Table 2: Exam taking strategy for synonyms

To select exact Synonyms,
 Do a quick but alert reading to pinpoint the word, its class (noun, adjective, verb, phrasal verb
etc)
 Come up with your own paraphrase of the situation.
 Come up with your own description and substitute the select word.
 Match your description or definition with an exact word from the given choices.
 Guess the meaning from your pre-knowledge. Look for prefix, suffix and root word etc.
 Eliminate every word-choice, whose key idea is not given, or does not match the word-class.
 Substitute your choice with the given word and read it out to check out its equivalency and idea-
association.

Synonyms in context:
Examples
Pattern 1
Find out the Synonym
Directions: Choose the word or phrase that can best substitute the underlined word in the sentence:

1. Avaricious- The avaricious leader always intended to mint money from the efforts of his team-
mates.

a. Alert b. energetic c. greedy d. hard-working e. sportive

Answer. The correct answer is option c. greedy.

Explanation: The sentence gives out the context of describing the personality of the leader as someone
who always aimed to use his team- mates to make lots of money for one-self. Such a personality can be
called as a greedy person. Next, the word ‘avaricious’ has the root word ‘avarice’ meaning ‘excess greed’.
The suffix, ‘–ous’ indicates an adjective and means ‘of excessive greed’. Option a is ruled out as though
being alert is possible but does not include the key attribute of using others for one’s benefits. Similarly,
words listed in option c, d and e are not discussed in the given sentence.
 2. Corroborate – The public prosecutor corroborated the facts to prove charges against the burglar.

a. corrupted b. demonstrated c. judged d strengthened e. tried

Answer. The correct answer is option d. strengthened

Explanation: The sentence gives out the context of proving charges. This situation will
arise only if the facts are supported. So, contextually, words listed in option. a, b, c a
do not support the idea. Option e is an irrelevant deviation as there is no discussion
about tried as in legal terms, the word ‘tried’ means ‘being on trial’. The verb
‘corroborate’ means to give supporting details which is equivalent of ‘strengthened’.

EXERCISE

1. The smallest 5 – digit number exactly divisible by of members. If the total collection amounts ₹
41 is 59.29, then the number of the member in the
A. 10004 B. 10025 group is
C. 1004 D. 10045 A. 57 B. 58
C. 67 D. 77
2. Let N be the greatest number that will divide by
1305, 4665 and 6905, leaving the same remainder
Directions (Q. No. 8) The following table gives the sales
in each case. Then sum of the digits in N is
of batteries manufactured by a company over the years.
A. 9 B. 8
C. 6 D. 4 Number of different types of batteries sold by a
company over the years (numbers in thousand)
3. In how many different ways can be letters of the
word ‘CUTTER’ be arranged? Year Types of Batteries
s 4 AH 7 AH 32 AH 35 AH 55 AH Total
A. 520 B. 360
2006 75 144 114 102 108 543
C. 588 D. 322
2007 90 126 102 84 126 528
4. A hawker sold some guavas. He sold 66% guavas 2008 96 114 75 105 135 525
and still has 255 guavas. Originally, how many 2009 105 90 150 90 75 510
guavas he had? 2010 90 75 135 75 90 465
A. 550 B. 850 2011 105 60 165 45 120 495
C. 750 D. 748 2012 115 85 160 100 145 605

5. From a point P on a level ground, the angle of 8. What was the approximate percentage increase in
elevation of the top of tower is 30 0. If the tower is the sales of 55 AH batteries in 2012 compared to
100 m high then distance of point P from the foot that in 2006?
of the tower is A. 28% B. 31%
A. 169 m B. 156 m C. 33% D. 34%
C. 191 m D. 173 m
9. What is the cost painting the two adjacent walls of
6. The trains 140 m and 160 m long run at the speed a hall at ₹ 5 per m 2 which has no windows or
of 60 km/h an 40 km/h respectively in opposite doors?
directions on parallel tracks. The time which they
take to cross each other is I. The area of the hall is 24 sq m.

A. 10, 8 s B. 10, 9 s II. The breadth, length and height of the hall
C. 10, 11 s D. 10, 17 s are in the ratio of 4 : 6 : 5 respectively.
7. A group of students decided to collect as many III. Area of wall is 30 sq m.
paise from each number of group as is the number
A. Only I
 B. Only II 1 3
C. Only III C. D.
50 25
D. Either I or III
15. If the average marks of three batches of 55, 60 and
Directions (Q. Nos. 10-11) The following line graph 45 students respectively is 50, 55 and 60, then
gives the ratio of the amounts of imports by a company average marks of all the students is
to the amount of exports from that company over the A. 55 B. 53.33
period from 2004 – 12. C. 54.68 D. 54.98
16. A shopkeeper expects a gain of 22.5% on his cost
price. If in a week, his sale was of ₹ 392, what was
Ratio of value of imports to exports by a company his profit?
over the years A. ₹ 70 B. ₹ 66.67
C. ₹ 78.5 D. ₹ 72
17. Two students appeared at an examination. One of
them secured 9 marks more than the other and his
marks was 56% of the sum of their marks. The
marks obtained by them are
A. 41, 32 B. 42, 33
C. 38, 33 D. 38, 35
18. A sum of money amounts to ₹ 9800 after 5 yr and
₹ 12005 after 8 yr at the same rate of simple
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 interest. The rate of interest per annum is
A. 8% B. 12%
10. If the imports in 2007 was ₹ 250 crore and the
C. 9% D. 16%
total exports in the years 2007 and 2008 together
was ₹ 500 crore, then the imports in 2008 was 19. According to numbers, replace question mark by
A. ₹ 250 crore B. ₹ 300 crore option
C. ₹ 357 crore D. ₹ 420 crore 9548 + 7314 = 8362 + (?)
11. If the imports of the company in 2005 was ₹ 272 A. 9800 B. 8600
crore, the exports from the company in 2005 was C. 8500 D. 8230
A. ₹ 370 crore B. ₹ 320 crore 20. A train 110 m long is running with a speed of 60
C. ₹ 280 crore D. ₹ 275 crore km/h. In what time will it pass a man who is
12. The difference between simple interest and running at 6 km/h in the direction opposite to that
compound interest on ₹ 1200 for one year at 10% in which the train is going?
per annum reckoned half yearly is A. 6 s B. 8 s
A. ₹ 4.03 B. ₹ 3.75 C. 9 s D. 15 s
C. ₹ 3 D. ₹ 5.85 21. A bag contains 6 black and 8 white balls. One ball
13. A alone can do a piece of work in 6 days and B is drawn at random. What is the probability that
alone in 8 days. A and B undertook to do it for ₹ the ball drawn is white?
3200. With the help of C, they completed the work 3 4
in 3 days. How much is to be paid to C? A. B.
4 7
A. 400 B. 600
C. 700 D. 900 1 3
C. D.
14. In a class, there are 15 boys and 10 girls. Three 8 7
students are selected at random. The probability 22. Some articles were bought at 6 articles for ₹ 5 and
that 1 girl and 2 boys are selected, is sold at 5 articles for ₹ 6. Gain percent is
21 25 1
A. B. A. 30% B. 33 %
46 117 3
C. 35% D. 44%
23. What will be the day of the week 15 th August, C. 6% D. 8.75%
2010?
25. In a group of 6 boys and 4 girls, 4 children are to
A. Sunday B. Monday be selected. In how many different ways can they
C. Tuesday D. Friday be selected such that atleast one boy should be
24. The population of a town increased from 175000 there?
to 262500 in a decade. The average percent A. 159 B. 194
increase of population per year is C. 205 D. 209
A. 4.37% B. 5%

ANSWER KEYS & EXPLANATIONS

ANSWER KEY:
1. (a) 2. (d) 3. (b) 4. (c) 5. (d) 6. (a) 7. (d) 8. (d) 9. (c) 10. (d)
11. (b) 12. (c) 13. (a) 14. (a) 15. (c) 16. (d) 17. (b) 18. (b) 19. (c) 20. (a)
21. (b) 22. (d) 23. (a) 24. (b) 25. (d)

EXPLANATIONS:
1. (a) Smallest 5 digit number=10000 300 18
¿ × =10.8 s
Divide 10000by 41. 100 5
⇒ Quotient=243∧Remainder=37
7. (d)
Hence , required number=243 × 41+41=10004
Amount collected=59.29 ×100=5929 Paise
2. (d) N=HCF {( 4665−1305 ) , ( 6905−4665 ) , Let the number of members=n
( 6905−1305 ) } So , n2=5929
⇒ N =HCF ( 3360,2240,5600 )=1120 ∴ n= √ 5929=77
∑ of digitsof N =1+ 1+ 2+ 0=4 8. (d)
145−108
6! Required percentage= ×100=34.25 %
3. (b) Number of arrangements¿ =¿360 108
2!
9. (c) ¿ II ,let breadth , b=4 x∧length , l=6 x
4. (c)
2 2
100 ¿ I , floor area=24 m =4 x × 6 x =24 x
Total number of guavas= × 255=750 2
100−66 ∴ x =1∧x=1
Hence , l=6 m , b=4 m∧h=5 m
5. (d) Total areaof two ajdacent walls=( l+b ) h
100 100
Required distance= = =173 m ¿ ( 6+ 4 ) ×5=50 m 2
tan30 1
Hence , total cost =50× Rs.5=Rs .250
√3 Thus III is redundant.

6. (a) Time require ¿ pass each other

250Cr .
140+ 160 10. (d) Export∈2007= =200 Cr .
¿ 1.25
5
( 60+40 ) × Given total export∈2007∧2008=500 Cr .
18
 Hence , export ∈2008=500 Cr .−200Cr . 17. (b) Let their marks be (x+9) and x.
¿ 300 Cr , 56
⇒ x +9= ( x+ 9+ x )
Import∈2008=1.4 ×300 Cr .=420 Cr . 100
56
⇒ x +9= ( 2 x +9 )
272 100
11. (b) Export ∈2005= =320Cr .
0.85 ⇒100 x+ 900=112 x +504
396
⇒12 x=396 ∴ x= =33
10 12
12. (c) SI =Rs.1200 × × 1=Rs .120
100 Hence , their marks are 42∧33 respectively .

( )
2
5
CI =Rs .1200× 1+ −Rs .1200=Rs .123
100 18. (b) SI for 3 years=12005−9800=Rs .2205
Differecne between SI ∧CI=123−120=Rs .3 2205
∴ SI for 5 years= × 5=Rs .3675
3
1 1 1 1 Principal=9800−3675=Rs .6125
13. (a)+ + =
A B C 3
1 1 1 1
⇒ + + =
Rate of interest =( 3675
5 ×6125 )
× 100=12 %
6 8 C 3
1 1 19. (c) ( ? )=9548+7314−8362=8500
⇒ =
C 24
1 1 1 20. (a)
Ratio of work done by A , B∧C= : :
A B C 110
Time required ¿ pass the man=
1 1 1
¿ : :
6 8 24
( 60+6 ) × ( 185 )
¿ 4 :3:1 110 18
¿ × =6 s
1 66 5
Amount paid ¿ C= × Rs .3200=Rs .400
8
8 4
21. (b) Required probability= =
15 C 2 ×10 C 1 14 7
14. (a) Required probability=
25 C 3
5
(105 ×10)× 6 21 22. (d) CP of 1 article=Rs .
¿ = 6
25 ×24 × 23 46
6
SP of 1 article=Rs .
15. (c) Average marks of all students
5
55× 50+60 ×55+ 45× 60 6 5
¿ −
55+60+ 45 5 6 11 6
Profit percentage= ×100= × ×100
2750+3300+2700 5 30 5
¿ 6
160
8750 ¿ 44 %
¿ =54.68
160
23. (a) From 2000 January 1 to 2010 August 15,
there are 9 years and 227 days.
100
16. (d) CP= × Rs .392=Rs .320 9 year ⇒2 leap years+7 ordinary years
122.5
∴ Profit =Rs .392−Rs.320=Rs .72 ⇒ Number of odd days=2 ×2+7 ×1=11
⇒ 4 odd days .
 From 2010 January 1 to 2010 August 15, there
are 32 weeks and 3 days.
Number of odd days ⇒3
Hence , total number of odd days=4+ 3=7
≡ 0 odd days
Hence, 2010 August 15 is a Sunday.

24. (b)
262500−175000
Percentage increase= ×100
175000
87500
¿ ×100=50 %
175000
50 %
Avarage percentage increase= =5 %
10

25. (d)
Number of ways=( 6 C 1 × 4 C 3 ) + ( 6 C 2 × 4 C 2) + ( 6 C3 × 4 C1 ) + ( 6 C 4 × 4 C 0 )

¿ ( 6 × 4 ) + ( 15 × 6 ) + ( 20 ×4 ) + ( 15 ×1 )
¿ 209