Question

Find the synonym of the underlined word.
Share prices on the Stock Exchange plunged sharply in the morning.
A. Fell
B. Retrieved
C. Skyrocketed
D. Recovered
E. Fluctuated

Answer 1

Hint: Synonyms are those words that have similar or same meanings to the given word.

Complete solution:
In the given question, the word 'Plunged' refers to jumping or diving quickly and energetically.
For example, "We whooped as we plunged into the sea."
In this context, "Share prices on the Stock Exchange plunged sharply in the morning", 'plunged' means fell, or crashed.

Let us analyze the options given to us in this question:
Option (B), 'retrieved', refers to get or bring (something) back from somewhere. Therefore, option (B) is incorrect as it is not synonymous to the meaning of the given word 'plunged.'
Option (C), 'skyrocketed', refers to (of a price, rate, or amount) increasing very steeply or rapidly. Therefore, option (C) is incorrect as it is not synonymous with the meaning of the given word 'plunged'.
Option (D), 'recovered', refers to regain or secure (money spent or lost or compensation) by legal process or the making of profits. Therefore, option (D) is incorrect as it is not synonymous with the meaning of the given word 'plunged'.
Option (E), 'fluctuated', refers to rising and falling irregularly in number or amount. Therefore, option (E) is incorrect as it is not synonymous with the meaning of the given word 'plunged'.
Option (A), 'fell', refers to a decrease in number, amount, intensity, or quality.

Hence, option (A) is correct as it is synonymous with 'plunged.'

Note: Often, all the options in an antonym question do not exactly mean the opposite of the given word. In such a case, select the option, which is the most antonymous to the meaning of the word in the question.