Question

Choose the best meaning of the word italicized-
The river meandered its way to the sea.

a) Swirled swiftly
b) Cascaded downhill
c) Fell like a waterfall
d) Flowed in a zigzag way

Answer 1

Hint: The dictionary meaning of the word meandered is – (of a river or road) follow a winding course. For example, A river that meandered gently through a meadow.

Complete answer:

To meander means to wander aimlessly on a winding; roundabout course. If you want some time to yourself after school, you might meander home, taking the time to window shop, and look around. The word ‘meander’ means to take an indirect course in order to reach a destination. The river is taking any route it can find, any direction it can go through to join the sea.
Now, we will examine all the given options to find out the correct answer :
Option ‘a’ is Swirled swiftly. To swirl is to move quickly with a twisting circular movement, or to cause something to move this way. For example: Accusations continue to swirl around him.
Option ‘b’ is Cascaded downhill. It generally means a small waterfall, typically one of several that fall in stages down a steep rocky slope. For example, The waterfall raced down in a series of cascades.
Option ‘c’ is Fell like a waterfall. This option means water flowing from a height over a steep surface, and this is not the same meaning as the word meandered.
Option ‘d’ is Flowed in a zigzag way. The river isn’t flowing through a straight path but goes in whichever direction it can find as it flows towards the sea, going zigzag. This option provides a similar meaning as “meandered”, as the river is going in a zigzag way. Zigzag means “having frequent sharp turns”.
As we have analyzed all the given options, we can easily figure out the correct answer. The closest meaning of the word meandered is flowing in a zigzag way. Hence, option ‘d’ is the correct answer.

Note: Do not confuse between "swirled swiftly" and "flowing zigzag" because swirling swiftly is to move in a circular/twisted motion whereas on the other hand, flowing zigzag is flowing in any direction.