Question

Choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the word printed in italic bold in the sentence.
Most of the staff is restive under the new manager’s rule.
a) relaxed
b) friendly
c) uneasy
d) obstinate

Answer 1

Hint: Synonyms are words or phrases that mean exactly or nearly the same as another word or phrase. For example- ‘sad’ and ‘depressed’. Two words that can be interchanged in a context are said to be synonymous relative to that context.

Complete answer:
In the given question, the word ‘restive’ refers to being in a tense state.
Let us analyze the options given to us in this question:
Option (a.), 'relaxed', refers to ‘without strain or anxiety’.
Therefore, option (a.) is incorrect as its meaning is not synonymous with that of the given word ‘restive’. Option (b.), ‘friendly', refers to ‘inclined to help or support; not antagonistic or hostile’.
Therefore, option (b.) is incorrect as its meaning is not synonymous with that of the given word ‘restive’. Option (c.), ‘uneasy', refers to ‘causing or fraught with or showing anxiety’.
Therefore, option (c.) is correct as its meaning is synonymous with that of the given word ‘restive’.
Option (d.), ‘obstinate', refers to ‘tenaciously unwilling or marked by tenacious unwillingness to yield.’
Therefore, option (d.) is incorrect as its meaning is not synonymous with that of the given word ‘restive’.

Note:
If you don’t know the definition of the given word and have only used it in some given context previously, then use the given word in a sentence. Substitute the given word with each word in the options and choose the word which does not conflict with the context provided by the given word.