Question

Examine the recently laid egg of some common animal, such as
    a salamander or newt. It is a minute spheroid an apparently
    structureless sac, enclosing a fluid, holding granules in
    suspension. But let a moderate supply of warmth reach its
5 watery cradle, and the plastic matter undergoes changes so
    rapid, yet so steady and purposeful in their succession, that
    one can only compare them to those operated by a skilled
    modeler upon a formless lump of clay. As with an invisible
    trowel, the mass is divided and subdivided into smaller and
10 smaller portions. And, then, it is as if a delicate finger
    traced out the line to be occupied by the spinal column, and
    molded the contour of the body; pinching up the head at one
    end, the tail at the other, and fashioning flank and limb
    into due proportions, in so artistic a way, that, after
15 watching the process hour by hour, one is almost
    involuntarily possessed by the notion, that some more subtle
    aid to vision than a microscope, would show the hidden
    artist, with his plan before him, striving with skilful
    manipulation to perfect his work.
-Adapted from an essay by T H Huxley

In the context of the final sentence the word “subtle” most nearly means
A. Not Obvious
B. Indirect
C. Discriminating
D. Surreptitious
E. Scientific

Answer 1

Hint: Subtle is an adjective and the meaning of the word subtle is making use of clever and indirect methods to achieve something. Some words which are similar to subtle are fine, cunning and insightful etc.

Complete answer:
Option A is Not obvious is an incorrect answer for the above asked question as not obvious means definite, or easy to understand.
Option B is Indirect which is an incorrect answer as it does not talk about an indirect way of viewing something.
Option C is Discriminating which is the correct answer for the above asked question as discriminating means insightful which is the same as the meaning of Subtle.
Option D is Surreptitious is an incorrect answer for the question as surreptitious means secretly.
Option E is Scientific is also an incorrect answer for the above asked question as in the above question it is not mentioned anywhere that it is to be a scientific viewing.

Hence the correct answer is Option C discriminating which has the meaning near to the subtle.

Note: The exact meaning of Subtle is achieved in a quiet way that does not attract attention to itself and is therefore good or clever. Some of the examples that use subtle are “The film’s direction is subtle and stylish”, “I could detect subtle variances in fragrance as we strolled through the garden”.