Question

Find the synonym of the underlined word.
Innovative approaches to manufacturing, coupled with the tremendous size of the domestic market, led to the emergence of the United States as an industrial giant.

a. Followed by
b. Combined with
c. Deriving from
d. Mixed with
e. By doubling

Answer 1

Hint: The phrase ‘coupled with’ refers to ‘to join or combine (something) with (something else)’.

Complete answer:
The underlined phrase in the given sentence describes the fact that one thing, i.e. innovative approaches paired with another, i.e. the tremendous size of the market, leads to a consequence. It tries to demonstrate the working of two things together.
Now, we know the meaning and usage of the given phrase. Let’s look at the given options:
a) followed by - The phrase ‘followed by’ refers to ‘to continue with something else’. This has a very different meaning to the given phrase. It is not the required answer. So, this is an incorrect option.

b) combined with - The phrase ‘combined with’ refers to ‘to add two or more things together’. This has the exact same meaning as the given phrase. It is the required answer. So, this is the correct option.

c) deriving from - The phrase ‘deriving from’ refers to ‘to obtain or receive from a source’. This has a different meaning to the given phrase. It is not the required answer. So, this is an incorrect answer.
d) mixed with - The phrase ‘mixed with’ refers to ‘to add to something else’. This does not have the exact same meaning to the given phrase. It is not the required answer. So, this is an incorrect answer.
e) by doubling - The phrase ‘by doubling’ refers to ‘make twice as much or as many’. This has a completely different meaning to the given phrase. It is not the required answer. So, this is an incorrect answer.

Note: Use the method of trial and error to find the correct option. Try to differentiate between the meanings of each option.