Class 10 - Synonyms - 5. Glimpses of India

Read the paragraph and write the synonym of the underlined words choosing from the words given in the brackets:

1. ( faded        remembering        reusing          renowned      longingly        rudely )    

Our elders are often heard reminiscing (a) nostalgically (b) about those good old Portuguese days, the Portuguese and their famous (c) loaves of bread. Those eaters of loaves might have vanished (d) but the makers are still there. We still have amongst us the mixers, the moulders and those who bake the loaves. 

2. ( hit      scolding        praising      melodious      supplied        uphold      irksome )    

The baker made his musical (a) entry on the scene with the ‘jhang, jhang—sound of his specially made bamboo staff. One hand supported the basket on his head and the other banged (b) the bamboo on the ground. He would greet the lady of the house with a “Good morning” and then place his basket on the vertical bamboo. We kids would be pushed aside with a mild rebuke (c) and the loaves would be delivered (d) to the servant.

3. ( event           betrothal      community        scold     availability            insignificant )        

Marriage gifts are meaningless (a) without the sweet bread known as the bol, just as a party or a feast loses its charm without bread. Not enough can be said to show how important a baker can be for a village. The lady of the house must prepare sandwiches on the occasion (b) of her daughter’s engagement. (c) Cakes and bolinhas are a must for Christmas as well as other festivals. Thus, the presence (d) of the baker’s furnace in the village is absolutely essential.

4. (  noted           poor            adversity         gainful            wealthy            proof )

The baker usually collected his bills at the end of the month. Monthly accounts used to be recorded (a) on some wall in pencil. Baking was indeed a profitable (b) profession in the old days. The baker and his family never starved. He, his family and his servants always looked happy and prosperous. (c) Their plump physique was an open testimony (d) to this. 

5. ( priority        energizing            quantity           superior            clear    initiates )     

During the monsoons, it pours enough to keep many visitors away. The season of joy commences (a) from September and continues till March. The weather is perfect, with some showers thrown in for good measure. (b) The air breathes of invigorating (c) coffee. Coffee estates and colonial bungalows stand tucked under tree canopies in prime (d) corners.

6. ( cowardice         bravery        honoured        approved        warmth         heat )   

Coorgi homes have a tradition of hospitality, (a) and they are more than willing to recount numerous

tales of valour (b) related to their sons and fathers. The Coorg Regiment is one of the most decorated (c) in the Indian Army, and the first Chief of the Indian Army, General Cariappa, was a Coorgi. Even now, Kodavus are the only people in India permitted (d) to carry firearms without a licence.

7. (  foggy            colony     beehive        wide        priests            doctors )

The climb to the Brahmagiri hills brings you into a panoramic (a) view of the entire misty (b) landscape of Coorg. A walk across the rope bridge leads to the sixty-four-acre island of Nisargadhama. Running into Buddhist monks (c) from India’s largest Tibetan settlement, (d) at nearby Bylakuppe, is a bonus. 

8. ( setting            glorious             puffing          swimming      dominating         stage )

It was a magnificent (a) view. Against the backdrop (b) of densely wooded hills a sea of tea bushes stretched as far as the eye could see. Dwarfing (c) the tiny tea plants were tall sturdy shade-trees and amidst the orderly rows of bushes busily moved doll-like figures. In the distance was an ugly building with smoke billowing (d) out of tall chimneys.

9. ( removed         enjoyed        mocked            started        story            monk )

“Tell me another!” scoffed (a) Pranjol.

“We have an Indian legend (b) too. Bodhidharma, an ancient Buddhist ascetic, (c) cut off his eyelids because he felt sleepy during meditations. Ten tea plants grew out of the eyelids. The leaves of these plants when put in hot water and drunk banished (d) sleep.