Question

Choose the word which best expresses the meaning of the italicized bold part of the sentence:

He was given a severe warning for coming late.

• A. rigorous
• B. stern
• C. harsh
• D. strict

Answer 1

The correct option is B stern

Option B: 'Severe' means 'very great or intense', 'not willing to accept other people's mistakes or failures'.

'Stern' means 'serious and unrelenting, especially in the assertion of authority and exercise of discipline'.

This word means the same as the given italicized word. Hence option B is correct.

Option A: 'Rigorous' means 'extremely thorough and careful'.

Option C: 'Harsh' means 'unpleasant, unkind or more severe than is necessary'.

Option D: 'Strict' means 'demanding that rules concerning behaviour are obeyed and observed'.

These words mean the same as the given word 'severe', but they do not mean the same in the context of the given sentence. 'Severe' here expresses the intensity of the warning, which these words don't refer to.

So, options A, C and D are wrong.