Question

We left the little river of Kaligram, ______ as the blood circulation in a dying man, and dropped down in another current of a flowing stream which led us faster to a region where land and water seemed to merge into each other.

• A. sluggish, briskly
• B. indolent, undignified
• C. tardy, belated
• D. active, lively

Hint:

In context-based vocabulary questions, pay close attention to the tone and metaphor of the sentence. Words that reflect the emotional state or condition described (like lethargy or decay) are often the correct choice.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the context.
The sentence describes a slow-moving river, and it compares the river’s flow to blood circulation in a dying man. The focus is on slowness, weakness, and lethargy. Thus, we need words that suggest a slow and unenergetic state.
Step 2: Analyzing the options.
(A) sluggish, briskly: "Sluggish" works well to describe slow movement, but "briskly" is contradictory as it suggests speed and energy. This combination doesn’t fit the context.
(B) indolent, undignified: "Indolent" means lazy or lacking energy, which fits the description of slow movement like the circulation in a dying man. "Undignified" suggests a loss of grace or respect, aligning well with the idea of decay or a weakening state. This pair best fits the metaphor.
(C) tardy, belated: These words imply being late, but they don't relate directly to the movement of the river or its comparison to a dying man's circulation. They don't quite match the context of the sentence.
(D) active, lively: These words suggest vigor and energy, which contradicts the description of a dying man’s circulation and the slow movement of the river. They are not fitting choices.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct answer is (B) indolent, undignified, as these words accurately describe the weak and slow movement of the river, similar to the blood circulation in a dying man.