CAT Verbal Ability Questions | CAT Synonyms questions
CAT/2005
Question . 4
Directions for Question : The following question has a paragraph with one italicized word that does not make sense. Choose the most appropriate replacement for that word from the options given below the paragraph.
Or there is the most fingummy diplomatic note on record: when Philip of Macedon wrote to the Spartans that, if he came within their borders, he would leave not one stone of their city, they wrote back the one word - “If’.
Explanatory Answer
Method of solving this CAT Verbal Ability Question from Synonyms question
Option D is correct. The context here is diplomatic, so simple is ruled out as a simple statement or remark can not be diplomatic similarly a rude remark can not be diplomatic as it is straightforward and tactless. Witty is also ruled out as a witty remark must contain an element of humour. So the correct option is ‘terse’, which means to the point, laconic. Moreover use of ‘most’ is also an important indicator.