Question

Choose the word which best expresses the meaning of the italicised part of the sentence.
War has always had a baneful effect on the people of a nation.
a) unpleasant
b) foul
c) pertinent
d) harmful

Answer 1

Hint:The word ‘baneful’ refers to ‘destructive'. This word is usually used as an adjective and its adverb form is ‘banefully’. Another synonym of the word ‘baneful’ is ‘pernicious’.

Complete answer:
The word in the given sentence is used in a specific context. This means that the word that is italicized is an adjective that describes the noun of ‘effect’. So, the sentence is trying to convey the fact that the morale of the public of the country is affected when there is a war on. Now, we know what we are looking for. Let’s go through the options one by one:

a) unpleasant - The word ‘unpleasant’ refers to ‘causing discomfort, unhappiness, or revulsion; disagreeable'. This word is not similar in meaning to the given word at all. This is not the synonym of ‘baneful’. This is not the required answer. So, this is an incorrect option.
b) foul - The word ‘foul’ refers to ‘offensive to the senses, especially through having a disgusting smell or taste or being dirty’. This word is not similar in meaning to the given word at all. This is not the synonym of ‘baneful’. This is not the required answer. So, this is an incorrect option.
c) pertinent - The word ‘pertinent’ refers to ‘relevant or applicable to a particular matter; apposite'. This word is not similar in meaning to the given word at all. This is not the synonym of ‘baneful’. This is not the required answer. So, this is an incorrect option.
d) harmful - The word ‘harmful’ refers to ‘causing or likely to cause harm'. This word has the exact same meaning as the given word. This is the synonym of ‘effect’. This is the required answer. So, this is the correct option.

Note:
Try to understand the meaning of the word, as accurately as possible, with the help of the sentence. Then, go through the options one by one and choose the word similar in meaning to the given word, i.e. a synonym.