Question

Choose the word(s) which has the same meaning and can be used in the same context as the italicized word/phrase in both the given sentences.
I. Students started picking up their books when the bell rang.
II. There was a huge crowd at the airport waiting for the President.
A) Arraying
B) Collection
C) Swarming
D) Gathering
E) Numbering

Answer 1

Hint: Synonyms are the words that have the same or similar meaning and to avoid repetition synonyms are used. For example: the synonym of beautiful is pretty and adorable.

Complete answer:
The meaning of picking is ‘choose (someone or something) from a number of alternatives or pick out or choose or select’ and the meaning of crowd is ‘a large number of people gathered together in a disorganized or unruly way’. And we must find the correct answer from the options given whose meaning is the same as that of picking and crowd.

Option A) Arraying – is an incorrect answer because the meaning of arraying is ‘display or arrange (things) in a particular way or arrange or assemble’ and this is not the synonym of picking and crowd because their meanings are not the same. We need a word that matches with the italicized word i.e. picking and crowd and synonym should be meaningful in both the sentences. Thus, this is an incorrect answer.

Option B) Collection - is an incorrect answer because the meaning of collection is ‘group or crowd or body’ and this is not the synonym of picking and crowd because their meanings are not the same. We need a word that matches with the italicized word i.e. picking and crowd and synonym should be meaningful in both the sentences. Thus, this is an incorrect answer.

Option C) Swarming – is an incorrect answer because the meaning of swarming is ‘moving in or forming a large or dense group’ and this is not the synonym of picking and crowd because their meanings are not the same. We need a word that matches with the italicized word i.e. picking and crowd and synonym should be meaningful in both the sentences. Thus, this is an incorrect answer.

Option D) Gathering - is the correct answer because the meaning of gathering is ‘an assembly or meeting, especially one held for a specific purpose’ and this is the synonym of the italicized word picking and crowd and the word ‘gathering’ is the best fit in the sentence because meaning of the sentence is not changing the essence of the sentence is maintained. Thus, this is the correct answer.

Option E) Numbering - is an incorrect answer because the meaning of numbering is ‘amount to (a specified figure or quantity); comprise’ and this is not the synonym of picking and crowd because their meanings are not same. We need a word that matches with the italicized word i.e. picking and crowd and synonym should be meaningful in both the sentences. Thus, this is an incorrect answer.


Hence, the correct answer is Option ‘ D’.

Note: In such questions it is very important to understand the meaning of the words. However, picking and crowd means - like the gathering. Thus, Option D is the most appropriate answer as compared to any other option.