Question

In the following questions, four words (A B C D) are given of which two of them are synonyms. Identify those two words which are nearly the same in meaning and indicate the correct letter combination:
A. generous
B. mundane
C. reciprocal
D. earthly

a. B-D
b. A-B
c. B-C
d. A-C

Answer 1

Hint: Synonyms refers to those words which can be used in place of another word as both the words have the same or almost the same meaning. Synonyms are words having similar meaning.

 Complete step by step answer:
Option A) (B-D) - Mundane and earthly is the correct answer. Mundane refers to anything related to the world or it also refers to anything ordinary or commonplace about the world or life in general. Earthly on the other hand means ‘characteristics of or belonging to this earth’. The two words mundane and earthly have a similar meaning so this is the correct answer as they are synonyms.
Option B) (A-B) - Generous and mundane is an incorrect answer. The meaning of generous is being liberal in giving help, wealth or any kind of assistance to others in excess whereas mundane refers to anything related to this world or commonplace about this world. The words generous and mundane doesn’t mean the same therefore it’s not the correct option.
Option C) (B-C) - Mundane and reciprocal is an incorrect answer. As we have seen above the word mundane refers to things related to this earth whereas the meaning of reciprocal is that which is related inversely or it may also mean to be felt or shown mutually related to feelings, gestures, affection, etc. This is not the correct option as the two words don't have a common meaning.
Option D) (A-C) - Generous and reciprocal is an incorrect answer. Generous refers to being liberal in giving help, wealth or any other assistance in excess. Reciprocal on the other hand means that which is related inversely or it may also mean to be shown or felt mutually related to feelings, gestures, affection, etc. The two words can’t be used interchangeably as they don’t have a similar meaning hence it’s not the correct option.
The words ‘mundane’ and ‘earthly’ are synonyms of each other.

Hence, correct answer is (A)

Note:
Synonyms are the words that have similar meaning and antonyms are the words that have opposite meaning. Mundane and earthly are similar in meaning that is why they are synonyms of each other and the correct option. However, mundane antonyms are ‘imaginative and extraordinary’ and earthly antonyms are ‘celestial or supernatural’ and antonyms of generous are ‘mean or selfish’ and the antonym of reciprocal is ‘different and unequal’. And we cannot consider other options because they are not synonyms of each other.