Question

Find the meaning of the underlined word.
The first wallpaper was used as a substitute for tapestries, which had been used for centuries.
A. Precursor of
B. Accomplice of
C. Associate of
D. Alternative to
E. Contribution to

Answer 1

Hint:The given underlined word in the question is ‘substitute’. Let us see what it means. The word ‘substitute’ means to take place of , replace. Example: Milk can be substituted with milk powder in this recipe. We will look for an option that means the same as the given word.

Complete answer:
Let us analyse each option individually to figure out the correct answer.

Precursor of : The word ‘precursor’ means to precede, to occur in prior. Example: The first rains are the precursor of monsoon. This word doesn’t mean the same as the given word.

Accomplice of : The word ‘accomplice’ means a person who helps another person in any wrongdoing or crime. Example: She was his accomplice in the theft. This is not the meaning we are looking for.

Associate of : The word ‘associate’ means to connect, to join, bring into relation. Example: The company is associated with various NGOs. Again, this is not the intended word.

Alternative to: The word ‘alternative’ means a choice that can be interchanged, replaced. Example: We will have to stick to this plan, we don’t have any other alternative. This word means similar to the given word.

Contribution to: The word ‘contribution’ means to contribute, which means to give for some purpose, to furnish.

Hence, the correct answer is Option ‘D’.

Note: Some more synonyms of the given word ‘substitute’ are back up, pseudo, replacement. Some antonyms of the same word are genuine, permanent. Example: These parts of the car are genuine, you can't have a replacement for them.