Choose the option that best expresses the meaning of the word 'Quandary'.
- (a)Situation in which you are confused about what to do
- (b)Situation in which two people or group argue
- (c)Situation in which no progress can be made
- (d)Situation in which a relationship becomes friendlier
Answer
A
Why
Correct — A. A 'quandary' is a state of perplexity or uncertainty in which a person cannot decide what to do — a dilemma. Option A ('a situation in which you are confused about what to do') defines this directly.
Why the others are wrong
- (b)Situation in which two people or group argue — That is a 'dispute' or 'quarrel', which involves conflict between parties, not one person's inner indecision.
- (c)Situation in which no progress can be made — That describes a 'deadlock', 'impasse' or 'stalemate' — an external blockage — whereas a quandary is about mental uncertainty over a choice.
- (d)Situation in which a relationship becomes friendlier — That is a 'rapprochement' or 'thaw'; it is the opposite kind of situation from the anxiety of a quandary.
Concept
A 'quandary' is a state of uncertainty or perplexity, especially over what course of action to take — a dilemma.
Related PYQs
No directly related past PYQ was found.
Practice
- practice — not a real PYQ
'She was in a quandary about which job to accept.' Here 'quandary' means —
- (a)state of indecision
- (b)state of anger
- (c)state of joy
- (d)state of exhaustion
Answer(a) state of indecision — unsure what to do.
- practice — not a real PYQ
Choose the closest synonym of 'quandary'.
- (a)dilemma
- (b)triumph
- (c)routine
- (d)agreement
Answer(a) dilemma — a difficult choice with no easy answer.