Question

Fill in the blank:
The nearest meaning of the expression 'an incorrigible idealist' is__________.
A) he was an orthodox idealist
B) his idealism needed no improvement
C) his idealism was useless
D) he did not compromise with his idealism

Answer 1

Hint: Incorrigible is an unchangeable or incapable to be corrected. It is an adjective. Adjectives are the words used to describe a noun.

Complete answer:
From the hint given to us, we understand the meaning of incorrigible. Thus, we can infer that the given expression means a person whose ideals or principles cannot be changed. Hence, the correct answer must be similar in meaning to the meaning of the given phrase, which we have inferred. Let us analyse the given options to find out which phrase is similar to the meaning of the given expression.
A) “He was an orthodox idealist” means that the person has orthodox beliefs. Orthodox means traditional or conservation. We observe that it does not mean similar to the given expression. Hence, we can say that option ‘a’ is not the correct answer.
B) “His idealism needed no improvement” means that the beliefs of the person did not require any improvement. Improvement means to refine or to upgrade. We observe that it does not mean similar to the given expression. Hence, we can say that option ‘b’ is not the correct answer.
C) “His idealism was useless” means that the beliefs of the person were useless. Useless means of no relevance or having no purpose. We observe that it does not mean similar to the given expression. Hence, we can say that option ‘c’ is not the correct answer.
D) “He did not compromise with his idealism” means that the person made no compromise with his beliefs. Compromise means to accept a change or make an adjustment. We observe that the meaning of this phrase is similar to the meaning of the given expression. Hence, option ‘d’ is the correct answer.

Thus, option ‘d’ - “he did not compromise with his idealism” is the correct answer.

Note: Idealism means to have a set of beliefs which are usually unrealistic in nature. It should not be confused with having ideals. Ideals means principles, which is not the same as having beliefs.