Select the correct meaning of the underlined word in the sentence given below:-
His desultory efforts at studying made it clear that he was not serious about passing the exam.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → unenthusiastic
Desultory means done without a plan or real interest, half-hearted. The sentence says his desultory efforts showed that he was not serious about passing the exam: he studied now and then, without interest. Its synonym is unenthusiastic.
Example: After a few desultory attempts at conversation, they sat in silence.
| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| (1) cautious | careful to avoid risks (careful efforts would not show a lack of seriousness) | Be cautious while crossing the busy road. |
| (2) impetuous | acting quickly and without thinking (it suggests rashness, not lack of interest) | His impetuous decision to quit his job surprised everyone. |
| (3) guileful | clever in a deceitful way, cunning (nothing in the sentence suggests trickery) | The guileful fox tricked the crow into dropping the cheese. |
| (4) unenthusiastic (answer) | not showing interest or eagerness (efforts that show a lack of seriousness are unenthusiastic) | The team gave an unenthusiastic response to the extra practice session. |
| Synonyms of desultory: unenthusiastic, half-hearted, aimless, haphazard Antonyms of desultory: methodical, focused, wholehearted, systematic Also asked in CUET (UG): desultory – 20-05-2026 Slot 2, 30-05-2025 Slot 1 impetuous – 19-05-2026 Slot 1, 26-05-2025 Slot 1, 23-05-2025 Slot 1, 20-05-2025 Slot 2, 13-05-2025 Slot 1, 19-07-2024 Slot 1, 08-06-2023 Slot 3, 30-05-2023 Slot 2 |