Question

Difficulty: MediumSynonyms and Words Nearest in Meaning

The rescue team responded with remarkable alacrity when the distress signal was received from the flooded community. Which of the following words is nearest in meaning to the underlined word as used in the sentence?

  1. promptnessAnswer
  2. B
    hesitation
  3. C
    anxiety
  4. D
    sympathy

Answer

The word nearest in meaning to 'alacrity' in this context is 'promptness'.
The correct answer is 'promptness' because 'alacrity' denotes brisk and eager readiness or speed in responding to a situation.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the context of the sentence
The sentence describes an emergency rescue team moving quickly upon receiving a distress call.
Context clues such as 'responded' and 'distress signal' indicate an immediate, swift action.
2
Determine the meaning of the target word 'alacrity'
'Alacrity' refers to cheerful readiness, promptness, or speed.
Understanding the exact denotation and connotation helps isolate the correct synonym.
3
Select the option that best matches the meaning
'Promptness' directly conveys speed and quick response without delay.
It substitutes smoothly into the sentence without altering its intended meaning.

Key Concept

Identifying contextual synonyms
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