There are immense stretches of space.
- (A) Vast
- (B) Small
- (C) Little
- (D) Fearful
- (A) Vast
“Immense” means anything that is incredibly large or vast. The phrase “There are immense stretches of space” emphasizes how vast space is, making “Vast” the best synonym from the list.
The writer looked into the luminous swirls of the water.
- (A) Misery
- (B) Dim
- (C) Bright
- (D) Dark
- (C) Bright
The word “luminous” means something that emits or reflects light, bright, radiant, and shining. The use of the word “luminous” as a description for the “luminous swirls of the water” creates a mental picture of the water as if it is shining.
The writer was reckless with misery.
- (A) Quiet
- (B) Talkative
- (C) Rash
- (D) Slow
- (C) Rash
Reckless is an act that is careless, impulsive, and is performed without weighing the consequences. In other words, “reckless” is an act that is performed without any consideration of outcomes, which is associated with carelessness or haste. As “rash” also indicates impulsive or careless actions, it is an appropriate synonym for “reckless”.
The driver was reluctant to take Abdul with him.
- (A) Willing
- (B) Eager
- (C) Drunk
- (D) Hesitant
- (D) Hesitant
A reluctant person is someone who is not willing or prepared to do something. They are uncertain about something and hence hold back from it, which is why hesitant is the best word among those given as an answer.
Churchill would whip his students hard for not knowing English.
- (A) Praise
- (B) Encourage
- (C) Admire
- (D) Beat
- (D) Beat
“Whip”, in this context, means to whip or beat someone severely as a form of punishment. The word is used here to indicate a severe consequence for not knowing English. As such, the appropriate meaning of the word is “beat”.
I had to be vigilant until each mouthful was safely behind my teeth.
- (A) Careful
- (B) Versatile
- (C) Serious
- (D) Fast
- (A) Careful
“Vigilant” is the state of remaining watchful and alert, and being careful to avoid danger and trouble. In the above sentence, the word is used to signify that the person had to be extra careful while consuming the food. So, the word that suits best in this context is “careful.”
Mr. Chips has been ragged there a good deal.
- (A) Honoured
- (B) Teased
- (C) Cheated
- (D) Invited
- (B) Teased
“Ragged” is the verb to tease or make fun of someone, either playfully or annoyingly. In the sentence, it is used to show that Mr. Chips was often teased by other people.
The sudden hush as he took his place at the desk in the dais.
- (A) Noise
- (B) Silence
- (C) Fear
- (D) Excitement
- (B) Silence
“Hush” means an abrupt descent into silence. In that sentence, it means that everyone was quiet the moment he sat down in his spot at the desk on the dais. So, “silence” is the word that should be used.
Not that Mr. Chips was boastful or conceited.
- (A) Coward
- (B) Brave
- (C) Proud
- (D) Afraid
- (C) Proud
“Boastful” and “conceited” describe someone who is excessively proud of themselves. The sentence shows that Mr. Chips was not excessively proud or arrogant of himself. Boastful and conceited are both words that describe arrogance and pride.
And there was this new craze for bicycle.
- (A) Trend
- (B) Compulsion
- (C) Greed
- (D) Hatred
- (A) Trend
A craze is an outburst of enthusiasm—a fad that many people pursue for an instant. In that sentence, what is latest in bicycles is an indication of a fashionable trend.