Cynosure :
- (a)Person or thing that causes a change
- (b)Person or thing that attracts a lot of attention
- (c)Person or thing regarded as exact copy
- (d)Person or animal that lives in a particular place
Correct — B, Person or thing that attracts a lot of attention. A 'cynosure' is someone or something that is the centre of attention or admiration; the word comes from Cynosura, the Greek name for the constellation containing the Pole Star, which guided sailors — hence a focal point that all eyes turn to.
- (a)Person or thing that causes a change — A thing that causes change is a 'catalyst' or 'agent', which is unrelated to being a focus of attention.
- (c)Person or thing regarded as exact copy — An exact copy is a 'replica' or 'facsimile'; a cynosure is admired, not duplicated.
- (d)Person or animal that lives in a particular place — One who lives in a place is an 'inhabitant' or 'denizen' — a different idea entirely.
A word-meaning item testing 'cynosure' — the centre of attention — where each wrong option names a distinct concept (catalyst, replica, inhabitant).
No directly related past PYQ was found.
- practice — not a real PYQ
'Cynosure of all eyes' in a sentence most nearly means:
- (a)the cause of a quarrel
- (b)the centre of attention
- (c)a hidden secret
- (d)a strict rule
Answer(b) the centre of attention — a cynosure is the focus everyone looks at.
- practice — not a real PYQ
Choose the correct meaning of 'paragon':
- (a)a model of excellence
- (b)a centre of attention
- (c)a sudden change
- (d)a close friend
Answer(a) a model of excellence — 'paragon' means an ideal example, distinct from 'cynosure' (a focus of attention).