Question

The synonym of ALMS is:
a) Blessings
b) Charity
c) Prayers
d) Worship

Answer 1

Hint: Synonyms are words that are partially or completely the same in meaning to another word. Example- Difficult is a synonym of tough. ‘Alms’ refers to donations or charity in the form of food, money or essentials that are generally given to the poor and the needy.

Complete answer:
 The word ‘alms’ has been derived from the Middle English word- Almes, which means pity or compassion.
We know the meaning and the origin of the word ‘alms’. Now, let’s look at its usage:
Example - It was their religious duty to give alms to the poor and the needy. Here, we can understand that it was ‘X and Y’s religious duty to donate food, money or essentials to the poor and the needy.
Let’s decipher the meanings of the given options-
Option a- ‘Blessings’ is an intangible noun that refers to God’s favours or protection. It is common to all and is not confined to the category of poor and needy. Hence, it is an incorrect option.
Example - We gave our blessings to them because they have passed with flying colours.
Option b- ‘Charity’ refers to a voluntary help in the form of money or food given to the ones in need. The meaning of ‘charity’ is exactly the same as the meaning of Alms. Hence, it is the correct option.
Example - Charity is something that hides a multitude of sins.
Option c- ‘Prayers’ refer to the thankful expressions or requests addressed to God. The meaning of ‘prayers’ doesn’t conform with the meaning of the word ‘Alms’. Hence, it is an incorrect option.
Example - After a brief prayer, she opened her eyes and began her work.
Option d- ‘Worship’ refers to showing adoration to a deity or God. The meaning of ‘worship’ has no relation to the meaning of the given word. Hence, it is an incorrect option.
Example - All religious scripts direct the children to follow, respect, care, and worship their mothers.
The correct answer is Option ‘b’.

Note:
Charity is a form of a tangible noun while the other options are intangible nouns and are the source of expressions of adoration.