Select the appropriate pair of words to fill in the blanks:
The new principal wanted to ______ the habit of reading in her students, so she replaced the ______ use of mobile phones in the library with a daily silent-reading hour.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → inculcate, indiscriminate
Complete sentence: The new principal wanted to inculcate the habit of reading in her students, so she replaced the indiscriminate use of mobile phones in the library with a daily silent-reading hour.
| Inculcate (answer) | Indiscriminate (answer) | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | to fix an idea or habit firmly in someone’s mind by teaching it again and again | done without care or thought about what is right or harmful; random and too much |
| Example | Dadi inculcated the habit of early rising in all her grandchildren. | The indiscriminate cutting of trees has left the hillside bare. |
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: eradicate, indiscriminate — Incorrect. Eradicate means to remove or destroy something completely. Example: The health campaign aims to eradicate malaria from every village in the district.
Option 2: discourage, sparing — Incorrect. Discourage means to try to stop someone from doing something. Sparing means using only a little of something. Example: The doctor discouraged sweets and advised a sparing use of salt.
Option 3: suppress, careful — Incorrect. Suppress means to stop something from growing, showing or being known. Careful means giving attention so as to avoid harm or mistakes. Example: Ravi tried to suppress a yawn while the careful clerk checked every form twice.