Choose the word that can best replace the underlined expression in the sentence:
On the drive to Jaisalmer, the pool of water we saw shining on the road ahead turned out to be a trick of light caused by the hot air above the road.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → a mirage
Complete sentence: On the drive to Jaisalmer, the pool of water we saw shining on the road ahead turned out to be a mirage.
| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| (1) a hallucination | something a person seems to see or hear because of illness, drugs or a disturbed mind (from the mind, not from light and hot air) | In high fever, the old man had a hallucination that his late brother was in the room. |
| (2) an apparition | a ghost or a ghost-like figure that seems to appear | The guard swore he saw an apparition on the steps of the old fort. |
| (3) a silhouette | the dark outline of someone or something seen against a bright light behind it | We saw the silhouette of a camel against the evening sky. |
| (4) a mirage (answer) | something that seems to be there but is not, especially a pool of water seen far away on a hot road or in a desert, caused by hot air | The thirsty travellers walked towards the lake, but it was only a mirage. |