Choose the most appropriate replacement of the underlined word so that the meaning does not change.
Due to a military coup, some of those in captivity were released.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → incarceration
- Captivity means the state of being kept as a prisoner, not free to leave. "Those in captivity" are people held as prisoners, some of whom were released after the coup.
Example: The soldiers spent two years in captivity before the war ended. - Incarceration means imprisonment, being shut up in a prison; it names the same state, so it is the synonym of captivity. The word comes from the Latin carcer (prison).
Example: After ten years of incarceration, he was finally set free.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 2: incarnation — Incorrect. Incarnation means a god or spirit appearing in human form, or a person who embodies a quality.
Example: Lord Krishna is believed to be an incarnation of Vishnu.
Option 3: incendiary — Incorrect. Incendiary means designed to cause fires, or likely to stir up anger or violence.
Example: The leader was arrested for his incendiary speech.
Option 4: incandescent — Incorrect. Incandescent means glowing with light because of great heat.
Example: Old incandescent bulbs have been replaced with LED lights.
| Synonyms (Captivity) | Antonyms (Captivity) |
|---|---|
| imprisonment | freedom |
| incarceration | liberty |
| confinement | release |
| detention | liberation |
The following words have also been asked in other CUET (UG) English papers:
| Word | 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| incandescent | – | – | – | 14-06 S1 | – |