Question

Read the extract given below and answer the question that follows by choosing from the given alternatives:
Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things,
The hand that mocked them, and the heart that fed;

What does the word ‘stamped’ in this context mean?
A. Stick a postage stamp.
B. Sculpted
C. Mysterious
D. A stampede

Answer 1

Hint: Read the lines of the question and try to figure out the context or meaning of the lines and try to fit in different options in place of the word which is to be replaced and see which word fits appropriately without changing the meaning.

Complete answer:
Let's carefully take a look at the question.

Firstly understand the meaning of the passage. Here the passage describes having imprinted or etched some emotions onto the lifeless things like some sculpture. The second line describes the emotions.
Replace the words given in options in place of the word that is to be replaced and figure out which word suits the best.

Option A) Stick a postage stamp - This is an incorrect answer as the sentence as the meaning of the word stamped does not refer to sticking a postage stamp in this context.

Option B) Sculpted- This is the correct answer as the emotions of the lifeless things are sculpted (stamped) on something. Stamped here means imprinted or sculpted.

Option C) Mysterious- This is an incorrect answer as there is nothing mysterious about the lifeless things in the passage and the meaning is also changed.

Option D) A stampede - This is an incorrect answer as the meaning of the word is the impulsive rush of people in a small place causing crowds to fall on each other and causing an accident. This word does not fit in this context.

Hence the correct answer is option ‘B’.

Note: Always understand the meaning of the lines and the words that are to be replaced. In the above question, to sculpt means to create or to design and thus the synonym for sculpt is to create or to design.
Synonyms are nothing but words that have the same or nearly the same meaning in English language.