Question

Choose the word which means the following.
The policy of extending a country’s empire and influence.
(a)communism
(b)internationalism
(c)capitalism
(d)imperialism

Answer 1

Hint: Look through the given phrase and understand its meaning. Use it in the context to completely understand its meaning. Make sure to differentiate between two synonyms if they seem similar. Then, choose the correct word accordingly.

Complete answer:
In grammar, a substitute is used as a word to replace a word that serves as a specific kind of replacement. When one word replaces an entire
phrase and still retains the original meaning, it is called a ‘substitute noun’. For example,
the phrase ‘the faculty or phenomenon of finding valuable or agreeable things not sought for’ can be summarised by the word ‘serendipity’.

The only way to identify them correctly is to memorise them or use etymology to guess
them as accurately as possible. The given phrase refers to changing the structure of
something to make something different out of it.
The given phrase describes a historical situation that consists of warring and making treaties to amass more land and expand the country.
Let us go through the available options:
(a)communism - The word ‘communism’ refers to a theory or social organisation system in which all property is owned by the community and each person contributes and receives according to their ability and needs'. This word describes a very different situation. This is not the substitute for the given phrase. This is not the required answer. So, this is an incorrect option.
(b)internationalism - The word ‘internationalism’ refers to ‘the state or process of being international'. This word describes a very different situation. This is not the substitute for the given phrase. This is not the required answer. So, this is an incorrect option.
(c)capitalism - The word ‘capitalism’ refers to ‘an economic and political system in which a country's trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit, rather than by the state'. This word describes a very different situation. This is not the substitute for the given phrase. This is not the required answer. So, this is an incorrect option.
(d)imperialism - The word ‘imperialism’ refers to ‘the state policy, practice, or advocacy of extending power and dominion, especially by direct territorial acquisition’. This word describes the same situation. This is the substitute for the given phrase. This is the required answer. So, this is the correct option.

Note: Some frequently used synonyms of imperialism are colonialism, neocolonialism, expansionism, hegemony, international domination etc.