Fill in the blank with the most appropriate word from the options given:
The _________ news dampened the wedding festivities.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → dismal
Dismal means gloomy, sad and depressing. News that "dampened" the wedding festivities (took the joy out of them) must have been sad news, so dismal fits the blank.
Example: The team's dismal performance disappointed its fans.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 2: dilapidated — Incorrect. Dilapidated means in a very bad condition because of age or neglect; it describes buildings, vehicles or furniture, not news.
Example: The family lived in a dilapidated old house.
Option 3: judicious — Incorrect. Judicious means showing good judgement; sensible; it describes a decision or a person, and it does not explain why the festivities were dampened.
Example: A judicious use of money saved the company.
Option 4: buoyant — Incorrect. Buoyant means cheerful and full of hope; cheerful news would lift the festivities, not dampen them.
Example: The players were in a buoyant mood after the win.
The following words have also been asked in other CUET (UG) English papers:
| Word | 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| judicious | 25-05 S1 | – | – | 23-05 S2 30-05 S1 30-05 S2 | – |
| buoyant | 12-05 S2 | – | – | – | – |