Choose the word similar in meaning to the underlined word in the following sentence:
Vitality and zest for life were at a vanishing point, spirituality glowed but in fitful embers.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → enthusiasm
- Zest means great eagerness and enjoyment. "Zest for life" is a lively, energetic love of living; in the sentence it had almost disappeared.
Example: Even at eighty, she has a great zest for life. - Enthusiasm means strong interest and eager enjoyment. It has the same meaning as zest, so enthusiasm is the synonym.
Example: The children joined the game with great enthusiasm.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: zenith — Incorrect. Zenith means the highest point of something; it is not a feeling.
Example: The empire reached its zenith under Akbar.
Option 3: propensity — Incorrect. Propensity means a natural tendency to behave in a certain way; it is not eagerness.
Example: He has a propensity to exaggerate.
Option 4: satisfaction — Incorrect. Satisfaction means a feeling of contentment when a wish is fulfilled; it is calm and settled, while zest is eager and energetic.
Example: She felt great satisfaction after finishing the project.
The following words have also been asked in other CUET (UG) English papers:
| Word | 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| zest | 13-05 S1 | – | – | 29-05 S2 | – |
| zenith | – | 27-05 S1 | – | – | – |
| propensity | – | 24-05 S1 | – | – | – |