Shape Up your Vocabulary from Newspaper Wordlist: 30th Nov'21

Over the last few years, aspirants of competitive examinations have been witnessing new types of questions in almost every examination they take. The questions based on new patterns mostly appear in the English section as the subject provides the maximum scope for experimentation. The examination bodies twist the questions to stimulate the analytical skills of the candidates. However, the basics never change and Vocabulary is one one of the most essential basics of the English language. A sound command over Vocabulary allows you to tackle the questions and solve problems efficiently. 

Our series, ‘Shape up your Vocabulary from Newspaper Wordlist’ aims to help you completely understand the commonly used words with their meanings, pronunciations, synonyms, antonyms, proper use in sentences, etc.

Here is an important editorial for you from ‘The Hindu’, followed by important words from the same, to help you strengthen your vocabulary.

Happy Reading!

Questionable criterion: On EWS quota income limit

Important Words from the Article

1. Word: Norm (मानक)

• Pronunciation: nawrm/ नॉर्म्ज़
• Part of Speech: Noun, Verb
• Meaning: 
  a. something that is usual, typical, or standard [Noun]
  b. adjust (something) to conform to a norm [Verb]
• Synonyms: standard, usual, normal
• Antonyms: exceptions, aberrations
• Usage in a Sentence: The social norms cannot merely exist as constraints existing outside individuals.

2. Word: Earmark (निर्धारित करना)

• Pronunciation: eer-mahrk/ईर्मार्क
• Part of Speech: Verb
• Meaning: designate (funds or resources) for a particular purpose.
• Synonyms: appropriate, reserve, keep, assign
• Antonyms: comprehensive, depletion, wastage
• Usage in a Sentence: The school has decided to earmark 10 percent of its funds for study material purchases. 

 3. Word: Backdrop (पृष्ठभूमि)

• Pronunciation: bak-drop/ बैक्ड्राप 
• Part of Speech: Noun, Verb
• Meaning: 
  a. a painted cloth hung at the back of a theatre stage as part of the scenery. ( Noun)
  b. lie behind or beyond; serve as a background to. (Verb)
• Synonyms: background, setting, scenery, context
• Antonyms: foreground, forefront
• Usage in a Sentence:  The mountains provided a perfect backdrop for the wedding photos.

4. Word: Beneficiary (लाभार्थी)

• Pronunciation: ben-uh-fish-ee-er-ee/बेनफिशीएरी
• Part of Speech: Noun
• Meaning:
  a. a person or group that receives benefits, profits, or advantages
  b. a person designated as the recipient of funds or other property under a will, trust, insurance policy, etc
• Synonyms: recipient, heir, legatee, payee
• Antonyms: benefactor, contributor, giver
• Usage in a sentence: Her wife was the chief beneficiary of her will.

5. Word: Circumscribe (सीमित करना) 

• Pronunciation: sur-kuhm-skrahyb/ सर्कम्स्क्राइब
• Part of speech: Verb
  Meaning: to limit the range or scope of something to a particular degree
• Synonyms: restrain, regulate, limit, confine, enclose
• Antonyms: broaden, exceed, abandon, free
• Usage in a sentence: In court the violent suspects wear shackles that circumscribe their ability to flee.

6. Word: Anomaly (अनियमितता)

• Pronunciation: uh-nom-uh-lee/ अनामली
• Part of Speech: Noun
• Meaning:
  a. a deviation from the common rule, type, arrangement, or form.
  b. an anomalous person or thing; one that is abnormal or does not fit in:
  c. an odd, peculiar, or strange condition, situation, quality, etc.
  d. an incongruity or inconsistency.
• Synonyms: abnormality, irregularity, oddity
• Antonyms: standard, normal, regular
• Usage in a sentence: With his quiet nature, he was an anomaly in his otherwise loud family.

7. Word: Moot (कल्पित विषय पर तर्क वितर्क करना)

• Pronunciation: moot/मूट
• Part of Speech: Verb, Adjective
• Meaning: 
  a. subject to debate, dispute, or uncertainty. [Adjective]
  b. having little or no practical relevance. [Adjective]
  c. raise (a question or topic) for discussion; suggest (an idea or possibility). [Verb]
• Synonyms: debatable, disputable, arguable, uncertain
• Antonyms: definite, certain, irrefutable
• Usage in a Sentence: It is moot to argue whether Rohan or Sohan is a better player.

8. Word: Impediment (अवरोध)

• Pronunciation: im-ped-uh-muhnt/ इम्पेडमन्ट
• Part of Speech: Noun
• Meaning:
  a. a hindrance or obstruction in doing something.
  b. a defect in a person's speech, such as a lisp or stammer. 
  
• Synonyms: hindrance, obstruction, barrier
• Antonyms: advantage, privilege, benefit
• Usage in a Sentence: In a number of developing countries, war has been an additional impediment to progress.

9. Word: Prevail (प्रचलन)

• Pronunciation: pri-veyl/ प्रीवैल
• Part of Speech: Verb
• Meaning:
  a. to be widespread or current; exist everywhere or generally:
  b. to appear or occur as the more important or frequent feature or element; predominate:
• Synonyms: predominate, rule, reign
• Antonyms: fail, lose, capitulate
• Usage in a sentence: Silence prevailed along the funeral route.

10. Word: Alleviate (घटाना)

• Pronunciation: uh-lee-vee-eyt/ अलीवीएट
• Part of Speech: Verb
• Meaning: make (suffering, deficiency, or a problem) less severe.
• Synonyms: mitigate, reduce, soothe, lessen
• Antonyms: intensify, aggravate, worsen
• Usage in a sentence: He put on his sunglasses, which did little to alleviate the headache sunlight gave him.

'Writer's Corner'

Based on the description of the words, we have some practice questions for you. Answer these questions in the comments section. Our team will review them at the earliest!

Exercise 1. Make your own Sentences.

Here are some of the words from the above article. Try to frame sentences from them in your own words and share them with us in the comments section!

• norm
   
• earmark
   
• backdrop
   
• beneficiary
   
• circumscribe

Exercise 2: Match the columns.

Share your answers in the comment section. 

More from us:

For practice, attempt the quiz based on this daily wordlist from the link below to enhance your exam preparation: Vocabulary Quiz, Click here to attempt!

You can also check the wordlist articles for the previous days from the link below: Shape Up your Vocabulary from Newspaper Wordlist

That was your Vocabulary dose for the day. 

from BYJU'S Exam Prep