Question

Choose‌ ‌the‌ ‌word‌ ‌which‌ ‌best‌ ‌expresses‌ ‌the‌ ‌meaning‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌italicized‌ ‌bold‌ ‌part‌ ‌of‌ ‌
the‌ ‌sentence:‌ ‌
Even‌ ‌today‌ ‌many‌ ‌people‌ ‌are‌ ‌guided‌ ‌by‌ ‌‌abstruse‌‌ ‌moral‌ ‌values.‌ ‌
a. Irrational‌ ‌
b. Obscure‌ ‌
c. Impracticable‌ ‌ ‌
d. Dangerous‌ ‌

Answer 1

Hint: We are asked to find the meaning of the italicised word. Abstruse is often used to refer to something unclear.

Complete answer:
The given term ‘abstruse’ is an adjective that refers to something quite difficult to understand and comprehend. It also means esoteric that indicates things and concepts understood only by a certain set of people.
Example: Although an excellent teacher, most of his concepts and theories are abstruse to his students.
We are asked to find the word that gives the most exact meaning of the given.
> As we now understand that ‘abstruse’ indicates unclear or esoteric, ‘obscure’ becomes its right meaning here. It means something uncertain or dubious and hence option b gives us the right answer.
- In option a, we have ‘irrational’ which can be ruled out. Irrational indicates something not logical or rational. Though similar in context, it cannot be the right meaning for ‘abstruse’.
- Option c is also wrong. Impracticable, an adjective, is used to indicate something that is not practically doable.
- Similarly, ‘dangerous’ in option d is also wrong as it refers to something that is threatening, hazardous, or causing harm.

Note: Do not confuse ‘abstruse’ with ‘obtuse.’ While ‘abstruse’ means obscure, ‘obtuse’ defines someone who is annoyingly insensitive. It also refers to a slow-witted, dull person.