Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow by selecting…
2023
Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow by selecting the correct/most appropriate option.
Father would dress himself for court in a brightly coloured dhoti, a matching white shirt with an equally bright white turban and a neat black coat. The paraphernalia to court would include a cloth bundle containing court papers and a basket containing hot coffee with tumblers and plates for tiffin given by my mother or sisters-in-law.
The younger advocates of his time were great admirers of my father and used to listen to him with rapt attention whenever he rose to address the court. His arguments were forceful, coherent, cogent, compulsive and conclusive. The arguments would go on till about lunchtime and even the English judge used to take down notes of his points.
One client was particular that my father alone should argue his case. On the day my mother died, this case happened to be on the cause list. My mother was alive when my father left for court at 10 a.m. that morning and he had told my brother that he would return as soon as the case was over. Unfortunately, she died within an hour of his departure.
With some difficulty, the news was conveyed through an advocate in court. My father, however, continued his arguments without showing any emotions. Only after concluding the case did he get back home to the room where my mother’s body lay and stood in stoic silence.
‘His arguments were forceful, coherent, .............’
Choose the word similar in meaning to the underlined one.
- A.
calculating
- B.
reasonable
- C.
crazy
- D.
witless
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
CONCEPT: A "word similar in meaning" (synonym-in-context) question tests whether an option's meaning fits the exact quality being described in the passage, not just a generic dictionary synonym. Each option must be checked against the specific sense in which the underlined word is used.
APPLICATION: The passage praises the father's arguments as forceful, coherent, cogent, compulsive and conclusive - all describing the logical strength of his advocacy. "Coherent" means logically connected and consistent, so his arguments held together as a sound, sensible line of reasoning. Among the four options, only "reasonable" names that same quality: judgement or reasoning that is sound, sensible and logically grounded.
CROSS-CHECK - how each remaining option differs from that meaning:
"Calculating" describes a person's self-serving, scheming intent - a comment on character/motive, not on how logically an argument is structured.
"Crazy" describes something irrational or senseless - the opposite quality to logical consistency.
"Witless" describes a person's lack of intelligence or mental sharpness - a judgement about a person, not about the logical soundness of an argument.
The official CTET August 2023 Paper I answer key (Language II - English, Set A, Q125) confirms "reasonable" as the correct choice.