Choose the appropriate word similar in meaning to the underlined word in the sentence given below:-
The newly initiated monk is a neophyte who is learning meditative techniques at the Yoga center.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Novice
- Neophyte means a beginner, a person who is new to a subject, skill or religious order. It comes from the Greek neos (new) + phytos (planted), "newly planted". The monk has just been initiated and is still learning meditation, so he is a neophyte.
Example: As a neophyte in politics, she relied on her party's senior leaders. - Novice means a person new to an activity and without experience; in a monastery, a novice is also a new member who has not yet taken final vows. It has the same meaning, so it is the synonym of neophyte.
Example: The novice swimmer stayed in the shallow end of the pool.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: Sage — Incorrect. A sage is a very wise person, usually old and respected, the reverse of someone who is just beginning.
Example: The villagers went to the old sage for advice.
Option 2: Veteran — Incorrect. A veteran is a person with long experience in a field; it is an antonym of neophyte.
Example: He is a veteran journalist with thirty years in the profession.
Option 3: Master — Incorrect. A master is a person with great skill in something, or one who teaches others; it is also opposite in sense to a beginner.
Example: She is a master of classical dance.
The following words have also been asked in other CUET (UG) English papers:
| Word | 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| novice | – | 20-05 S2 | – | 26-05 S1 06-06 S1 02-07 S3 | 16-09 S1 |