Choose the correct option which best expresses the meaning of the given foreign words/expressions ALMA MATER:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → mother institution a person attended
Alma mater is a Latin expression meaning "nourishing mother". It refers to the school, college or university that a person attended, the institution that brought the person up in learning.
Example: The scientist returned to his alma mater to deliver the convocation address.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 2: parent institution one attended — Incorrect. A parent institution is the larger body that controls or affiliates smaller units, such as a university to which colleges are affiliated. The expression keeps the image of a mother who nourishes, not of a controlling body.
Option 3: brother institution one attended — Incorrect. "Mater" means mother. There is no idea of a brother in the expression.
Option 4: central government institution one attended — Incorrect. Alma mater says nothing about who runs the institution. Any school or college one attended is one's alma mater.
| Also asked in CUET (UG): alma mater – 11-06-2023 Slot 1 |