Only three candidates are now in contention for the title. (Choose the phrase nearest in meaning to the underlined words 'in contention'.)

Correct — C, 'chance of winning.' To be 'in contention' for something means to be still competing and to have a realistic chance of winning it. With only three candidates left for the title, they are the ones who could still win, which is exactly what 'chance of winning' captures.

Why the others are wrong

• (a)
  involved in dispute — This picks up the other sense of 'contention' (a quarrel), but 'in contention for the title' is about competing to win, not arguing.
• (b)
  in agreement with each other — It means the opposite of competing; candidates for a title are rivals, not partners.
• (d)
  amiable to each other — It means friendly towards one another — this describes their manner, not their chance of winning the title.

To be 'in contention' for something means to be still in the running and to have a genuine chance of winning it.

No directly related past PYQ was found.

• practice — not a real PYQ

  Choose the meaning of 'in contention' in: 'She is in contention for the top prize.'

  • (a)no longer competing
  • (b)having a chance of winning
  • (c)arguing with the judges
  • (d)watching from outside
  Answer(b) having a chance of winning — 'in contention for' means still competing to win.
• practice — not a real PYQ

  Choose the word nearest in meaning to 'contention' in: 'This was a point of contention between them.'

  • (a)agreement
  • (b)dispute
  • (c)friendship
  • (d)silence
  Answer(b) dispute — here 'contention' means a disagreement, showing the word has two senses depending on context.