Question

Find the synonym of the underlined word.

The writer states that not being born black but being born a female was a handicap she faced.

 a)ailment
 b)enhancement
 c)advantage
 d)burden
 e)wrath

Answer 1

Hint: Synonyms are words or phrases that mean exactly or nearly the same as another word or
phrase.
In the given question, the word ‘handicap’ refers to something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progress.

Complete step by step solution:

Let us analyze the options given to us in this question:
Option (a.), 'ailment', refers to an often-persistent bodily disorder or disease; a cause for complaining.
Therefore, option (a.) is incorrect as its meaning is not synonymous to that of the given word ‘handicap’.

Option (b.), ‘enhancement', refers to an improvement that makes something more agreeable
Therefore, option (b.) is incorrect as its meaning is not synonymous to that of the given word ‘handicap’.

Option (c.), ‘advantage', refers to the quality of having a superior or more favorable position.
Therefore, option (c.) is incorrect as its meaning is not synonymous to that of the given word ‘handicap’.

Option (d.), ‘burden', refers to a weight to be borne or conveyed.
Therefore, option (d.) is correct as its meaning is synonymous to that of the given word ‘handicap’.

Option (e.), ‘wrath', refers to intense anger (usually on an epic scale).
Therefore, option (e.) is correct as it is not synonymous to the given word ‘handicap’.

Note: In this question, keep in mind that though the meaning of ‘handicap’ is not ‘burden’, ‘burden’ is the right answer as the synonymousness in both lies in the fact that both disable a person to some extent to do/be something.
Some synonyms of the given word ‘handicap’- impediment, hindrance, obstacle, barrier, bar, encumbrance, disadvantage, drawback, stumbling block, difficulty, shortcoming, obstruction, limitation, constraint, straitjacket, restriction.