Choose sentences where the underlined word has been used correctly:
A. As the temperatures soared, the water level reseeded drastically creating a shortage of potable water.
B. The contingent receded on receiving the orders from the commanding officer.
C. She is confidant of topping the exam.
D. The coach's motivational words made the players feel confident.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → B and D only
(A) As the temperatures soared, the water level reseeded drastically creating a shortage of potable water. — Incorrect. To reseed means to sow seed again; a falling water level recedes (goes down or moves back): "the water level receded drastically". (Reseed and recede sound alike: reseed is about sowing, recede is about moving back.)
Correct form: As the temperatures soared, the water level receded drastically creating a shortage of potable water.
(B) The contingent receded on receiving the orders from the commanding officer. — Correct. Recede means to move back or withdraw from a position; the contingent (a group of soldiers) withdrew on receiving its orders.
Example: The flood waters slowly receded from the fields.
(C) She is confidant of topping the exam. — Incorrect. A confidant is a noun: a trusted friend with whom one shares secrets. The sentence needs the adjective confident: "She is confident of topping the exam." (Confidant and confident look alike: a confidant is a person, confident means sure of oneself.)
Correct form: She is confident of topping the exam.
Example: She told her worries only to her sister, her closest confidant.
(D) The coach's motivational words made the players feel confident. — Correct. Confident means sure of one's own ability; the coach's words made the players sure of themselves.
Example: He felt confident before the interview.