It is not uncommon for close synonyms to be understood to share the sa

Question

It is not uncommon for close synonyms to be understood to share the same meaning. The difference between words like ‘hard’ and ‘diffcult’, for example, goes tragically unnoticed. One may employ one or the other with complete indifference, postulating no discrepancy between them. In general, this is well and good; most people lack the scrupulous pedanticalness to quibble over such triﬂes. Nevertheless, for those of us with ample compulsiveness (and time), it is of signifcant value to comprehend such nuances.

Take for example the following sentences: (a) The test was hard. (b) The test was diffcult. Is the difference between these synonyms readily apparent? Is there a noticeable difference between them at all? Indeed, these questions are valid and warrant answer. For, what would be the point to having multiple words with the exact same meaning? No, and that would be superﬂuous with the English language being far too economical. While many close synonyms share similar, if not the same, dictionary defnitions, the feeling, or mood, they convey is utterly singular. Although a dictionary can provide information about word meanings, pronunciations, etymologies, inﬂected forms, derived forms and so on, it cannot communicate how it feels to use a word.

Granted, the notion that close synonyms can be used interchangeably is prevalent among English speakers. And alas, the dictionary—the text purported to be responsible for clarifying such issues—is of little assistance. In the end, it is left to us, the speakers of the language—those actively responsible for maintaining its sustenance and generation— to understand how these words make us feel and what mood we are inclined to attach to them. Using the examples and insights described earlier, one may come to recognise these subtle, yet crucial, differences.    1 
 1. The author of the passage is most likely to agree with which of the following?

(A) Two words can never be complete synonyms.
(B) The dictionary does not contain all the meanings of a word.
(C) The English language is inherently superﬂuous.
(D) Two words can never be used interchangeably.
(E) It is pedantic to quibble over the difference in meaning between two close synonyms.

2 
 2. What is the primary purpose of the passage?

(A) To explain the limitations of the dictionary.
(B) To highlight the importance of users of the English language in conveying the feelings and moods attached to a word.
(C) To prove why two words can never be exact synonyms.
(D) To discuss the importance of subtle feelings and moods attached to words having similar meanings.
(E) To criticise those who believe that synonyms can always be used interchangeably.

3 
 3. According to the passage, each of the following is true of a dictionary, EXCEPT:

(A) It can help pronounce words correctly.
(B) It provides information about the origin of words.
(C) It does not communicate the feeling or mood attached to a word.
(D) It provides all the meanings of a word.
(E) It helps choose which word to use from amongst closely related synonyms.

RC Butler 2021  -  Practice Two RC Questions Everyday.   
Passage # 267 Date: 07-Jul-2021
 This question is a part of RC Butler 2021 .  Click here for Details

kantapong · Accepted Answer

Passage Summary:
P1: There is significant value in comprehending differences between synonyms
P2: Although meanings are the same, but feeling is unique for each word.
P3: It is English speakers, not dictionary to recognize these differences.

Q1 Infer
(A) Two words can never be complete synonyms. (KEEP - that is the point of whole passage)
(B) The dictionary does not contain all the meanings of a word. (No, the dictionary can provide info about word meanings -> the dictionary contains all meanings)
(C) The English language is inherently superﬂuous. (No, that would be superfluous -> English is not superfluous)
(D) Two words can never be used interchangeably. (No, in P1, the author actually says it is well and good if you use these words interchangeably)
(E) It is pedantic to quibble over the difference in meaning between two close synonyms. (No, the author says it has significant value)
My ans: A

Q2 Primary purpose = to explain there are nuances among synonyms
(A) To explain the limitations of the dictionary. (no, that is the detail, not main point)
(B) To highlight the importance of users of the English language in conveying the feelings and moods attached to a word. (no, that only appears in P3, as detail)
(C) To prove why two words can never be exact synonyms. (no, the author does not try to prove this theorem)
(D) To discuss the importance of subtle feelings and moods attached to words having similar meanings. (KEEP)
(E) To criticise those who believe that synonyms can always be used interchangeably. (no, in P1, the author says it is good)
My ans: D

Q3: Dictionary (look at P2)
(A) It can help pronounce words correctly. (yes, pronunciation -> eliminated)
(B) It provides information about the origin of words. (yes, etymologies -> eliminated)
(C) It does not communicate the feeling or mood attached to a word. (yes, based on info in P3 -> eliminated)
(D) It provides all the meanings of a word. (yes, provide info about word meaning -> eliminated)
(E) It helps choose which word to use from amongst closely related synonyms. (no, that is why they are different due to feelings attached to those words)
My ans: E

Shubhgarg · Answer

According to the passage, each of the following is true of a dictionary, EXCEPT:

(A) It can help pronounce words correctly.
(B) It provides information about the origin of words.
(C) It does not communicate the feeling or mood attached to a word.
(D) It provides all the meanings of a word.
(E) It helps choose which word to use from amongst closely related synonyms.

Para 3 - And alas, the dictionary—the text purported to be responsible for clarifying such issues—is of little assistance.

Hence Ans is E

prfs11 · Answer

Could you please post the original explanation for question number one?

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Official Explanation

1. The author of the passage is most likely to agree with which of the following?

Difficulty Level:   650-700

Explanation

(A)  The The author clearly states in the second paragraph that there is no point in having multiple words with the same meaning. He goes on to conclude later in the passage that even if two words have the same meaning, they convey different feelings. Thus, he would most likely agree with  (A)  that two words can never be complete synonyms; there will always be some small difference between the two.

(B)  The author never states that the dictionary does not contain all the meanings of a word, but that it cannot convey the feelings attached to a word, which are more subjective.

(C)  Opposite. The author, in fact, states that the English language is very economical.

(D)  Extreme option. There may be two words that can be used interchangeably, even if they convey different feelings.

(E)  The author states at the end of the first paragraph that he belongs to the opposite group for whom such differences have significant value.

The correct answer is A.

VerbalBot · Answer

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It is not uncommon for close synonyms to be understood to share the sa

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It is not uncommon for close synonyms to be understood to share the sa

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