In each of the following questions, out of the given alternatives,choose the one which best expresses the meaning of the given word.
Compound
Answer: B
It is to put together.
To compound is to combine elements into a whole, from the Latin for putting together, and by extension to make worse - compounding the problem. Division and separation are its opposites.
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Composure
Answer: D
It is tranquillity.
Composure is calmness of mind, especially under strain. Agitation and instability are its opposites; an assumed attitude is a pose, which composure need not be.
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Exhort
Answer: E
It is urge.
To exhort is to urge strongly, from the Latin for encouraging. Discourage and leave alone are its opposites.
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Mottled
Answer: B
It is having splotches of colour.
Mottled means marked with patches of different colours. Plain and unflecked are its opposites; dirty describes a cause rather than the pattern.
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Humane
Answer: A
It is kind-hearted.
Humane means showing compassion, particularly towards those who cannot protect themselves. Unsympathetic and disagreeable are its opposites; destitute describes want, not temperament.
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Hypothetical
Answer: B
It is based on supposition.
Hypothetical means assumed for the sake of argument, from the Greek hypothesis. Factual is its opposite.
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Bountiful
Answer: C
It is generous.
Bountiful means giving freely, and also existing in plenty. Meagre, scarce and wanting are its opposites.
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Desolate
Answer: E
It is deserted.
Desolate means empty and abandoned, from the Latin for left alone, and by extension wretchedly unhappy. Inhabited and cherished are its opposites; gloomy shares the second sense but not the first.
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Obscene
Answer: D
It is indecent.
Obscene means offensive to accepted standards of decency, especially in sexual matters. Nice and friendly are its opposites, and dirty is a colloquial near-miss.
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Bovine
Answer: A
It is like an ox.
Bovine means of cattle, from the Latin bos, and figuratively slow and dull. Dim-witted is that second sense, but the word's primary meaning is the literal one.
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