Question

Choose the synonym(s) of the given word from the options below.
Shortfall
a. Shortage
b. Infringement
c. Overstepping
d. Violation

Answer 1

Hint: If you have a shortfall of something, you need more of it. We are having a shortfall of two notebooks means you need two notebooks.

Complete answer:
We have to choose the synonym. A synonym is a word which means the same as the word of which we are asked to find the synonym.
Let us look at all the options and see which option has a meaning similar to the word Shortfall.
Option a: Having a shortage of something means to want more of it. We have a shortage of rainwater for our crops. This means we need more rainwater for our crops. Yes, this meaning matches with our given word. However, we should look at all the options to see if there is a more appropriate synonym.
Option b: Infringement means the interference of something into something else. Infringement is usually used for someone’s rights. If I infringe someone’s rights, it means my actions are preventing a person from exercising his rights. This word does not mean anything close to the word Shortfall.
Option c: Overstepping means to cross your limits. Raj overstepped his boundaries as a student when he started quarelling with the teacher because a student is not supposed to quarrel with the teacher. Thus, option c is also not the correct answer.
Option d: Violation means to not break something. But this breaking is not like turning something into pieces. It is used in a more abstract or intangible way. For example, violation of school rules means breaking school rules.
Thus, we can see that the appropriate synonym is option a, shortage.

Note: Exploring all the options given is a good way to get to your answer. Also, it is beneficial to know all the meanings of a single word.