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Q.1
WBCS prelims 2024
Choose the correct word to fill in the gap in the following sentence. Her book is a ______ to her teacher.
A.debit
B.complement
C.compliment
D.supplement
Explanation
Why Correct: "Compliment" means a polite expression of praise or admiration. The sentence indicates that the book is an expression of praise or respect toward the teacher, so "compliment" fits the context. Distractor Analysis: "Debit" refers to an entry recording an amount owed, typically in accounting. "Complement" means something that completes or goes well with something else. "Supplement" means an addition or extra item added to something else. Takeaway: "Compliment" (with an 'i') relates to praise, while "complement" (with an 'e') relates to completion. A common mnemonic is that "complement" and "complete" both start with "comple-".
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Q.2
WBCS prelims 2023
Of which of the phrases below is the term ‘blog’ an abbreviation?
A.web log
B.web blog
C.web blogger
D.web blogging
Explanation
Why Correct: "Blog" is a portmanteau of "web log," coined by Jorn Barger in 1997 to describe a web-based log or diary. Distractor Analysis: "Web blog" is redundant because "blog" already includes the "web" component; "web blogger" refers to the person who writes a blog; "web blogging" refers to the activity of writing a blog. None of these represent the original abbreviation. Takeaway: Other tech portmanteaus include "email" from "electronic mail" and "netizen" from "Internet citizen," both retaining fragments of the original words.
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Q.3
WBCS prelims 2023
Identify the incorrect pair.
A.Kidney diseases — urologist
B.Blood-related diseases — haematologist
C.Diseases of the stomach — gastroenterologist
D.Various types of cancer — oncologist
Explanation
Why Correct: Nephrologists, not urologists, specialize in the medical management of kidney diseases. Urologists focus on the urinary tract and male reproductive organs, so the pairing 'Kidney diseases — urologist' is incorrect. Distractor Analysis: Haematologists manage disorders of the blood and blood-forming organs. Gastroenterologists treat diseases of the stomach and digestive tract. Oncologists diagnose and treat cancers. All three pairings are accurate. Takeaway: Nephrology and urology overlap in kidney care, but nephrologists handle medical conditions such as chronic kidney disease and glomerulonephritis, while urologists perform surgical procedures for kidney stones, tumours, and urinary tract obstructions.
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Q.4
WBCS prelims 2023
Read the following sentences and then select the correct option. (i) One should not interfere in the personal affairs of others. (ii) The personal in that company are dissatisfied with their salaries.
A.Only Sentence (i) is correct.
B.Only Sentence (ii) is correct.
C.Sentences (i) and (ii) are both correct.
D.Sentences (i) and (ii) are both incorrect.
Explanation
Why Correct: Sentence (i) uses "personal" as an adjective meaning private or individual, which fits the context of not interfering in private matters. Sentence (ii) requires the noun "personnel" to refer to the employees of the company, so it is incorrect. Distractor Analysis: Examining the statements: Sentence (i) is correct because "personal" correctly modifies "affairs" to mean private matters. Sentence (ii) is incorrect because "personal" cannot refer to a group of employees; the correct word is "personnel," which means the staff or workforce. The phrase "The personnel in that company are dissatisfied" would be grammatically and semantically correct. Takeaway: "Personnel" (with two n's) denotes the employees or staff of an organization, while "personal" (with one n) relates to an individual's private life. In exam contexts, "personnel" often appears in phrases like "personnel department" or "trained personnel," whereas "personal" appears in "personal belongings" or "personal opinion."
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Q.5
WBCS prelims 2022
Find the correctly spelled word.
A.Reharsal
B.Rehersal
C.Rehearsal
D.Rehearsel
Explanation
Why Correct: 'Rehearsal' is the only correctly spelled word; it derives from the verb 'rehearse' with the suffix '-al' added, and the 'ear' sequence in the second syllable is preserved. Distractor Analysis: 'Reharsal' drops the 'e' after 'h', producing a misspelling. 'Rehersal' swaps the 'ear' sequence for 'er', which is incorrect. 'Rehearsel' replaces the standard '-al' ending with '-el', which is not a valid suffix for this word. Takeaway: The suffix '-al' forms nouns from verbs, as in 'approval' from 'approve' and 'refusal' from 'refuse'.
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Q.6
WBCS prelims 2021
Add a suitable prefix to form the opposite of the word ‘capable’.
A.Uncapable
B.Noncapable
C.Ill-capable
D.Incapable
Explanation
Why Correct: The prefix 'in-' attaches to Latin-origin adjectives such as 'capable' to form 'incapable', meaning lacking the ability or fitness to do something. Distractor Analysis: 'Uncapable' is non-standard because 'un-' typically attaches to Germanic-origin words, not Latin-derived adjectives like 'capable'. 'Noncapable' is not idiomatic; 'non-' usually forms nouns or adjectives with a neutral sense of 'not being', but it does not combine naturally with 'capable'. 'Ill-capable' is unrecognized; 'ill-' suggests poor quality or adverse condition, not simple negation. Takeaway: The prefix 'in-' changes to 'im-' before b, m, or p (impossible, immature, impatient), to 'il-' before l (illegal), and to 'ir-' before r (irregular).
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Q.7
WBCS prelims 2021
Select the correct spelling:
A.Accommodition
B.Accommodation
C.Accomodation
D.Acommodation
Explanation
Why Correct: 'Accommodation' is spelled with double 'c' and double 'm': A-c-c-o-m-m-o-d-a-t-i-o-n. Distractor Analysis: 'Accommodition' uses the incorrect suffix '-ition' instead of '-ation'. 'Accomodation' has only one 'm'. 'Acommodation' has only one 'c' and one 'm'. Takeaway: The word 'accommodation' derives from the Latin 'accommodare', meaning to fit or adapt, and its double consonants reflect the prefix 'ad-' assimilated to 'ac-' before 'c'.
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Q.8
WBCS prelims 2020
Add a suitable prefix to ‘Embark’.
A.Disembark
B.Unembark
C.Imembark
D.Inembark
Explanation
Why Correct: The prefix 'dis-' means 'reverse of' or 'apart', so adding it to 'embark' forms 'disembark', meaning to leave a ship or aircraft or end a journey. Distractor Analysis: 'Unembark' is not a standard English word; 'un-' typically reverses adjectives or verbs but does not productively attach to 'embark'. 'Imembark' and 'Inembark' use prefixes meaning 'into' or 'not', which do not create recognized words and do not convey the sense of leaving. Takeaway: 'Dis-' is a common reversative prefix for verbs, as seen in appear/disappear, continue/discontinue, and connect/disconnect.
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Q.9
WBCS prelims 2019
Add a suitable prefix to form the opposite of the word ‘Balance’.
A.Nonbalance
B.Unbalance
C.Disbalance
D.Imbalance
Explanation
Why Correct: The prefix im- attaches to words beginning with b, p, or m to form antonyms, and imbalance is the standard English noun meaning lack of balance. Distractor Analysis: Nonbalance is not a recognized English word; non- typically attaches to nouns to mean absence, but it does not form a standard antonym for balance. Unbalance functions primarily as a verb meaning to make unbalanced, and as a noun it is nonstandard. Disbalance is not recognized in standard English and appears as a calque from other languages. Takeaway: Prefix rules for negation include im- before b, p, m (imbalance, impossible, immortal), in- before other consonants (inactive), un- for many adjectives (unable), and dis- for reversal (disagree); imbalance is the correct antonym noun for balance.
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Q.10
WBCS prelims 2018
Marble may be used with
A.Painting
B.Music
C.Rocks
D.Sculpture
Explanation
Why Correct: Marble is a metamorphic rock that forms when limestone recrystallizes under heat and pressure, giving it a fine, even grain and a softness that allows precise carving. Its ability to take a high polish and transmit light near the surface makes it the preferred medium for sculpture, as seen in Michelangelo's David. Distractor Analysis: Painting uses pigments bound in a medium applied to surfaces such as canvas, wood, or plaster, not marble as a primary material. Music involves sound produced by instruments or voices, with no physical role for marble. Rocks is a broad geological category, not a use; marble itself is one type of rock, so it cannot be a purpose. Takeaway: Marble's fine grain and translucency distinguish it from harder stones like granite, which is more difficult to carve and therefore less favoured for detailed figurative sculpture.
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Q.11
WBCS prelims 2017
‘Cinema’ may be used with
A.Cooking
B.Selling
C.Sleeping
D.Theatre
Explanation
Why Correct: Cinema is the art or industry of making films, and films are exhibited in a theatre. Thus, cinema is directly associated with theatre as the venue where films are shown. Distractor Analysis: Cooking is the preparation of food by applying heat, selling is the exchange of goods or services for money, and sleeping is a natural state of rest. None of these activities has any inherent connection to cinema, whereas theatre is the physical space where cinema is experienced. Takeaway: In word-association questions, the correct choice is the one with the strongest contextual link. Related terms include cinema hall, movie theatre, and film industry, all of which share the common context of motion pictures.
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Q.12
WBCS prelims 2015
‘Book’ may be used with
A.Trousers
B.Insects
C.Ticket
D.Painting
Explanation
Why Correct: The verb 'book' means to reserve or arrange for a service, and 'book a ticket' is a standard collocation for travel, cinema, or events. Distractor Analysis: Trousers are not booked; one buys, wears, or tailors them. Insects are not booked; one observes or catches them. Paintings are not booked; one buys, views, or commissions them. Takeaway: The verb 'book' collocates with services such as ticket, hotel, seat, and appointment, and this usage appears frequently in competitive exams.
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Q.13
WBCS prelims 2015
Choose the correct meaning of the word from the alternatives given below: Genre
A.A grand tour
B.A specific category
C.A chauffeur
D.A long list
Explanation
Why Correct: Genre, a French loanword, denotes a specific category or type of artistic work, such as literature, music, or film; it translates directly to "kind" or "class." Distractor Analysis: A grand tour refers to an extended educational journey through Europe, historically undertaken by young aristocrats. A chauffeur is a person employed to drive a private or hired car. A long list describes an extended enumeration of items, not a class or type. Takeaway: Genre shares its Latin root with "genus," the taxonomic rank above species in biological classification, and appears in phrases like "genre fiction" to distinguish categories such as mystery, romance, and science fiction.
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Q.14
WBCS prelims 2015
A stoic person can:
A.Entice
B.Endure
C.Excite
D.Enable
Explanation
Why Correct: Stoicism, the philosophical school founded by Zeno of Citium, teaches that virtue and rational self-control enable a person to bear pain and hardship without complaint; endurance is the defining behavioural trait of a stoic person. Distractor Analysis: 'Entice' means to attract or tempt someone, an action that requires yielding to desire rather than resisting it. 'Excite' means to stir strong emotion or enthusiasm, which a stoic deliberately regulates. 'Enable' means to make something possible or give someone the means to do something, a neutral capability unrelated to the stoic virtue of fortitude. Takeaway: The Stoic school contrasts with Epicureanism, which seeks pleasure through tranquillity and the absence of pain, and with Cynicism, which advocates extreme austerity and disregard for social convention.
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Q.15
WBCS prelims 2014
‘Cricket’ is also a kind of a/an
A.Bird
B.Insect
C.Food
D.Flower
Explanation
Why Correct: "Cricket" is a homonym: it names both the bat-and-ball sport and a jumping insect of the order Orthoptera, known for the chirping sound males produce by rubbing their wings together. Distractor Analysis: A bird is a warm-blooded, egg-laying vertebrate with feathers and wings, a category crickets do not belong to. Food refers to edible substances consumed for nutrition; while insects are eaten in some cultures, "cricket" is not a standard food item in common English usage. A flower is the reproductive structure of a flowering plant, and no plant part is called a cricket. Takeaway: Homonyms like "cricket" (sport/insect) and "bat" (sports equipment/flying mammal) frequently appear in vocabulary sections; the insect cricket belongs to the same order as grasshoppers and locusts, Orthoptera.
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Q.16
WBCS prelims 2014
A ‘Page’ also means
A.A sweet dish
B.A chauffeur
C.A book
D.A servant
Explanation
Why Correct: Historically, a page was a young male attendant or servant in a royal or noble household, often training for knighthood or performing personal services. Distractor Analysis: A sweet dish is a dessert or confection, such as pudding or cake, unrelated to any meaning of "page." A chauffeur is a professional driver employed to operate a private or hired car, a role distinct from a household attendant. A book is a written or printed work consisting of pages; while a book contains pages, the word "page" as a person does not refer to a book. Takeaway: The archaic sense of "page" as a servant appears in historical contexts like medieval courts; other words with both modern and archaic meanings include "knave" (a dishonest person or a servant) and "varlet" (a rascal or attendant).
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Q.17
WBCS prelims 2014
The word ‘Pride’ is also used to describe a group of
A.Tigers
B.Elephants
C.Lions
D.Hyenas
Explanation
Why Correct: A group of lions is called a pride, a collective noun that applies to both wild prides and captive groups. Distractor Analysis: A group of tigers is called an ambush or a streak. A group of elephants is called a herd. A group of hyenas is called a clan. Takeaway: Collective nouns for other large mammals include a herd of elephants, an ambush of tigers, and a clan of hyenas, each specific to the species.
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Q.18
WBCS prelims 2013
‘Deciduous’ trees are
A.Trees that lose the leaves annually
B.Trees that are big
C.Trees that are short
D.Trees that are scattered
Explanation
Why Correct: Deciduous trees drop all their leaves once per year, usually in autumn, as a seasonal adaptation to reduce water loss and survive harsh conditions. Distractor Analysis: Tree height, whether large or small, varies widely among deciduous species and does not define the leaf-shedding trait. Spatial distribution, such as scattered or clustered growth, describes the arrangement of trees in a landscape, not their seasonal leaf behavior. Takeaway: Evergreen trees, in contrast, retain foliage year-round; common deciduous examples include maple, oak, and birch, while pines and firs are typical evergreens.
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Q.19
WBCS prelims 2012
‘Aural’ means
A.Relating to the ear
B.Relating to the eye
C.Relating to the air
D.Relating to the water
Explanation
Why Correct: 'Aural' derives from the Latin 'auris' (ear) and means relating to the ear or hearing. Distractor Analysis: 'Relating to the eye' is 'ocular' or 'visual'. 'Relating to the air' is 'aerial' or 'atmospheric'. 'Relating to the water' is 'aquatic' or 'marine'. None of these share the ear-related root of 'aural'. Takeaway: 'Aural' (ear) and 'oral' (mouth) are commonly confused homophones; 'aural' shares its root with 'auditory', while 'oral' relates to speech or the mouth.
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Q.20
WBCS prelims 2012
Tortuous means
A.Torture
B.Tour
C.Full of twists and turns
D.Torturous
Explanation
Why Correct: 'Tortuous' means full of twists and turns, winding, or excessively complex, deriving from the Latin 'tortuosus' meaning twisted. Distractor Analysis: 'Torture' refers to the infliction of severe pain or suffering. 'Tour' is a journey or trip for pleasure. 'Torturous' means causing torture or extreme pain. Only 'full of twists and turns' captures the winding sense of 'tortuous'. Takeaway: 'Tortuous' and 'torturous' are distinct: 'tortuous' describes winding paths or complex arguments, while 'torturous' describes something causing pain or suffering.
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Q.21
WBCS prelims 2012
A pugilist is
A.Boxer
B.Swimmer
C.Athlete
D.Weight-lifter
Explanation
Why Correct: 'Pugilist' derives from the Latin 'pugil', meaning boxer, and refers specifically to a person who fights in boxing matches. Distractor Analysis: A swimmer competes in water-based sports, an athlete is a general term for any sportsperson, and a weight-lifter specializes in strength lifting. Only boxer matches the precise meaning of pugilist. Takeaway: The Latin root 'pugil' also appears in 'pugilism', the formal term for the sport of boxing.
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Q.22
WBCS prelims 2012
‘Thespian art’ refers to
A.The art of tragedy
B.The art of history
C.The art of story telling
D.Tribal art
Explanation
Why Correct: Thespian art refers to the art of tragedy because the term derives from Thespis, the ancient Greek poet credited as the first actor and the originator of tragedy. He introduced a single actor who interacted with the chorus, thereby creating dialogue and dramatic action, which became the foundation of tragic drama. Distractor Analysis: The art of history is historiography, the study and writing of history, which is unrelated to theatrical performance. The art of storytelling is narrative art, which can be oral or written and does not specifically involve dramatic performance on a stage. Tribal art encompasses the visual and performing arts of indigenous or tribal communities, which are distinct from the classical Greek theatrical tradition that gave rise to the term 'thespian.' Takeaway: Thespis is also credited with introducing the first actor separate from the chorus, and the term 'thespian' has since become a general synonym for 'actor' in English. In Greek theatre, tragedy evolved from the dithyramb, a choral hymn sung in honor of Dionysus, and Thespis is traditionally considered the first to step out of the chorus to engage in dialogue.
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Q.23
WBCS prelims 2011
A dissolute person is one who is
A.Debauched
B.Dishonest
C.Dissimilar
D.Discontent
Explanation
Why Correct: Dissolute means lacking moral restraint and indulging in vice, which is exactly what debauched means. Distractor Analysis: Dishonest refers to untruthfulness or lack of integrity, not moral degeneracy. Dissimilar means not alike or different. Discontent means dissatisfied or unhappy with one's situation. None of these capture the sense of moral looseness implied by dissolute. Takeaway: The word dissolute derives from the Latin 'dissolutus', meaning 'loosened' or 'unrestrained', and it is often used in literature to describe a person who leads a life of excessive indulgence.
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Q.24
WBCS prelims 2011
A man who catches fish as a hobby is called a/an ______
A.Fisherman
B.Angler
C.Hunter
D.Fishmonger
Explanation
Why Correct: Angling is the sport or leisure activity of catching fish with a rod, line, and hook, so a person who fishes as a hobby is an angler. Distractor Analysis: A fisherman typically catches fish for commercial or subsistence purposes, often using nets or traps. A hunter pursues land animals or birds, not fish. A fishmonger sells fish, usually in a market, and does not catch them. Takeaway: The suffix -er in angler denotes a person who angles, while the related term 'angling' refers specifically to recreational rod-and-line fishing, distinct from commercial fishing methods like trawling or netting.
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Q.25
WBCS prelims 2010
The specialist who handles problems in the human body related to bones is a/an —
A.Orthodontist
B.Osteopath
C.Podiatrist
D.Oncologist
Explanation
Why Correct: An osteopath specializes in the musculoskeletal system, which includes bones, joints, and muscles, so they treat bone-related problems. Distractor Analysis: An orthodontist corrects teeth alignment and jaw irregularities, not general bone issues. A podiatrist treats conditions of the foot and ankle only. An oncologist manages cancer, which may affect bones but is not a bone specialist. Takeaway: The prefix 'osteo-' (Greek for bone) appears in osteopath and osteology; 'ortho-' means straight, 'pod-' means foot, and 'onco-' means tumor or mass.
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Q.26
WBCS prelims 2010
A duck is a bird, but to duck is
A.To feel shy
B.To refuse
C.To abandon
D.To avoid
Explanation
Why Correct: The verb "duck" means to lower the head or body quickly to evade a blow or missile, and by extension it means to sidestep a duty, question, or difficulty. This action of evasion is the core meaning that makes "to avoid" the accurate synonym. Distractor Analysis: "To feel shy" describes an emotional state of timidity or self-consciousness, which does not involve any physical or strategic evasion. "To refuse" indicates a deliberate verbal or behavioral rejection of a request or offer, a more confrontational stance than the subtle act of ducking. "To abandon" means to leave someone or something behind permanently, implying a final departure rather than a temporary or tactical avoidance. Takeaway: The noun "duck" refers to the waterfowl, while the verb form shares the same spelling but derives from the bird's characteristic quick downward movement. This verbal sense appears in expressions such as "duck out of" a commitment or "duck a question" during an interview.
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Q.27
WBCS prelims 2008
A homophone for the word whole will be
A.Hole
B.Roll
C.Wholesome
D.Whale
Explanation
Why Correct: A homophone is a word that sounds identical to another but differs in meaning and often spelling. "Whole" and "hole" both sound like /hoʊl/, making them a homophone pair. Distractor Analysis: "Roll" sounds like /roʊl/, which rhymes with "whole" but does not match its pronunciation exactly. "Wholesome" has three syllables and is pronounced /ˈhoʊl.səm/, so it does not sound like "whole." "Whale" is pronounced /weɪl/, with a different vowel sound, so it is not a homophone of "whole." Takeaway: Common homophone pairs include "hear/here," "their/there/they're," and "write/right"; examiners often test one-syllable words with identical sounds but different spellings.
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Q.28
WBCS prelims 2005
To refuse is to deny but used as a noun the word can mean
A.Garbage
B.Dust
C.Prohibition
D.Fuel
Explanation
Why Correct: The noun "refuse" (pronounced REF-yoos) denotes solid waste or garbage, especially household rubbish, and is unrelated to the verb "refuse" (re-FYOOZ), which means to decline or deny. Distractor Analysis: Dust consists of fine dry particles of matter suspended in the air or settled on surfaces, not general discarded waste. Prohibition is an official ban or forbidding of an activity, a legal or regulatory concept rather than a material. Fuel is any combustible substance burned to produce heat or power, such as coal, petrol, or wood, and has no connection to waste. Takeaway: The noun "refuse" carries first-syllable stress (REF-use), while the verb "refuse" carries second-syllable stress (re-FUSE); this stress shift distinguishes the two homographs in speech.
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Q.29
WBCS prelims 2004
The boy has mendacious habits.
A.Stealing habits
B.Lying tendencies
C.Prone to begging
D.Over-critical habits
Explanation
Why Correct: Mendacious means habitually lying or dishonest, so mendacious habits are lying tendencies. Distractor Analysis: Stealing habits describe kleptomania or theft, a separate behavioural pattern. Prone to begging refers to mendicancy, the practice of begging for alms. Over-critical habits mean a tendency to find fault or judge harshly, unrelated to truthfulness. Takeaway: Mendacity (lying) and mendicancy (begging) share a Latin root but diverge in meaning; mendicant derives from Latin mendicare (to beg), while mendacious derives from mendax (lying).
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Q.30
WBCS prelims 2001
Glasnost means
A.Openness
B.Restructuring
C.Revisionism
D.Revolution
Explanation
Why Correct: Glasnost, introduced by Mikhail Gorbachev in the mid-1980s, means "openness" or "transparency" in Russian. It allowed greater freedom of information, public discussion, and criticism of the government. Distractor Analysis: "Restructuring" translates Perestroika, Gorbachev's separate economic reform aimed at reorganizing the Soviet economy. "Revisionism" refers to the modification or departure from orthodox Marxist theory, often used pejoratively in communist discourse. "Revolution" denotes a rapid, fundamental change in political power or social structure, not a policy of openness. Takeaway: Glasnost and Perestroika were twin reforms of the Gorbachev era; Glasnost addressed political transparency, while Perestroika addressed economic restructuring. Both contributed to the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.
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