Question

Fill in the blank with the right choice of word.
The professor became increasingly ______ in later years, flying into a rage whenever he was opposed.
a) taciturn
b) voluble
c) subdued
d) contrite
e) irascible

Answer 1

Hint: In the given sentence, you need to find a one-word replacement for the phrase ‘flying into a rage when opposed’. As the latter part of the sentence explains how he was, we need one word to describe it.

Complete answer:
Let’s look at the meaning of the given sentence:
The professor is mentioned as becoming increasingly irritable almost, as we can deduce from the given information. This means that we need to replace the phrase in the last part of the given sentence.

Now, we know what we are looking for. Let’s look at the given options:

a) taciturn - The word ‘taciturn’ refers to ‘(of a person) reserved or uncommunicative in speech; saying little’. This is not what the sentence tells us about the professor. This is not the required answer. So, this is an incorrect option.
b) voluble - The word ‘voluble’ refers to ‘(of a person) talking fluently, readily, or incessantly’. This is not what the sentence tells us about the professor. This is not the required answer. So, this is an incorrect option.
c) subdued - The word ‘subdued’ refers to ‘(of a person or their manner) quiet and rather reflective or depressed'. This is not what the sentence tells us about the professor. This is not the required answer. So, this is an incorrect option.
d) contrite - The word ‘contrite’ refers to ‘feeling or expressing remorse or penitence; affected by guilt'. This is not what the sentence tells us about the professor. This is not the required answer. So, this is an incorrect option.
e) irascible - The word ‘irascible’ refers to ‘having or showing a tendency to be easily angered'. This is exactly how the given sentence describes the professor. This is the required answer. So, this is the correct option.

Note:
Look at the given sentence and deconstruct it. Understand the meaning of each word carefully. This will help you to understand exactly which word you need to use. Then, choose the required option accordingly.