Question

Parents should cultivate in their children the habit of helping others.
Choose the word which best expresses the meaning of the italicized bold word/phrase in the sentence.
A) Propagate
B) Sprout
C) Create
D) Foster

Answer 1

Hint: In the above question we have to identify the word from the given options whose meaning is closely related to the meaning of the word ‘cultivate’ in a given sentence. Cultivate means to grow, to prepare or to raise. In cultivation, we prepare/till the land to grow crops on it. It can also imply to improve and to form new relationships, habits and in the case of people, it can mean to improve through education. E.g. I have cultivated a new bond with my roommates.

Complete answer:
Let us first understand the meaning of the given options:
A) Propagate - To grow a baby plant from a parent plant through natural reproduction. It can also mean to extend or spread and to transmit through a medium. E.g. the Propagation of plants leads to new plants. Or The saint propagated the spiritual teachings among his students.
B) Sprout - Growth of a new part of the plant is referred to as sprouting. E.g. The beans that I left to soak in water overnight, became sprouts in the morning.
C) Create - To make something. It can be a physical thing, a virtual thing or just an idea. E.g. I created my own website.
D) Foster - to build, encourage, help or to develop. It can relate to developing relationships or developing ideas or caring for a child without being a legal parent. E.g. I was brought up in a foster home. Or the international policies were developed to foster strong relationships with neighbouring countries.

Foster best expresses the meaning of cultivate. Therefore, the sentence will be re-written as ‘Parents should foster in their children the habit of helping others. ‘

Therefore the correct answer is option ‘D’.

Note: Verbs are action words. Both foster and cultivate are verbs as they are referring to an act of developing and encouraging. Foster can also function as an adjective as it tells about the quality of providing parental care to unassociated children.