Replace the underlined word in the following sentence with the most appropriate synonym from the options given:
The quarrelsome nature of Rohini cost her the presidency of the college union in the recent elections.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → cantankerous
- Quarrelsome means always ready to argue or fight. Rohini's habit of quarrelling cost her the presidency of the college union.
Example: The quarrelsome neighbours argued over every small matter. - Cantankerous means bad-tempered and argumentative. It describes the same nature, so it is the synonym of quarrelsome.
Example: The cantankerous old man complained about everything.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: noisy — Incorrect. Noisy means making a lot of sound. A noisy person is loud, but not necessarily quarrelsome.
Example: The noisy children ran through the corridor.
Option 3: fallacious — Incorrect. Fallacious means based on a mistaken belief or faulty reasoning. It describes an argument or idea, not a person's temper.
Example: His fallacious argument ignored the facts.
Option 4: exhausting — Incorrect. Exhausting means making someone very tired. It describes an effect, not a nature.
Example: The long climb up the hill was exhausting.
| Synonyms (Quarrelsome) | Antonyms (Quarrelsome) |
|---|---|
| cantankerous | peaceable |
| argumentative | amiable |
| belligerent | agreeable |
| contentious | easy-going |
The following words have also been asked in other CUET (UG) English papers:
| Word | 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| fallacious | – | 23-05 S2 | – | – | – |