Question

Choose the one which best expresses the meaning of:
COUNTERMAND
A. Criticise
B. Cancel
C. Devastate
D. Intrigue

Answer 1

Hint: In this question we need to look for the word which has similar or closest meaning to the given word ‘COUNTERMAND’. Or two words with a nearly common meaning or same meaning words.

Complete answer:
The word countermand means: to cancel an order, to revoke a command, etc. If someone countermand it means by giving different orders he can cancel it or take it back, make it reverse, can undo it, etc.

Now let’s examine and understand the given option above.
> Criticise: The word criticise means: talk behind someone’s back, backbiting, to talk in such a way that the other person is wrong, to talk negatively about someone, to judge someone, sharing opinion in a bad or negative way . So it is neither related nor appropriate to answer for the given question.
Example: Whenever she meets me she criticises her friends.

> Devastated: The word devastated means: Extremely upset, sad, shocked, unhappy, ruined, shattered, crushed, etc. This word is basically used for bad emotion. So, it is neither related nor appropriate to answer the given question.
Example: Disaster devastated or ruined many people’s lives.

> Intrigue: The word intrigue means: curiosity, interest by unusual, to make someone very interested, to make secret plans which are especially bad, etc. So, it is neither related nor appropriate to answer the given question.
Example: I guided mathematics to one of my friends by using an easier way that intrigued him towards math.

> Cancel: Here the word cancel has the same meaning: disapproval of something, to announce that whatever we have been planning that will not happen, to stop something, to decide not to conduct. As it is related, nearest and appropriate answer for the given question.
So the right answer will be option [B] Cancel.

Note: For choosing the correct option knowing actual meaning is necessary of the given question because nearest is something which defines the word having the same meaning.
Try to identify the meaning of the word and evaluate whether it has a positive negative or neutral connotation.