Choose the appropriate synonym for the underlined word in the following sentence:-
The gallant firefighter rushed into the burning house to rescue the trapped child.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → honourable
Note: The given answer is as per the official NTA Answer Key. However, more than one answer is possible here: Option (4) "honourable" and Option (3) "stalwart" both fit the meaning of "gallant" in this sentence, as explained below.
Gallant means brave and noble, showing courage, often in helping others. It also has the sense of chivalrous and honourable. The firefighter risked his life to save a trapped child, a brave and noble act.
Example: The gallant soldier carried his wounded friend to safety.
Option 1: active — Incorrect. Active means busy and full of energy. It says nothing about courage or nobility.
Example: My grandfather is still active at eighty.
Option 2: intelligent — Incorrect. Intelligent means able to learn and understand quickly. It describes the mind, not bravery.
Example: She is an intelligent student who asks good questions.
Option 3: stalwart — Can also be considered as correct. Stalwart means strong, brave and determined, someone who stands firm in difficulty. It is also used for a loyal, dependable supporter. A firefighter who rushes into a burning house shows this courage, and the brave side of gallant is the one the sentence stresses.
Example: The stalwart guards held the gate against the attackers all night.
Option 4: honourable — Correct (Answer as per NTA). Honourable means noble in character, deserving respect for doing what is right. The noble side of gallant is honour, and a rescue at the risk of one's own life is an honourable deed.
Example: Returning the lost wallet was an honourable thing to do.
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