Question

Fill in the blank with the most appropriate word:
Stone age research was always on a low ________ in India.

• A. key
• B. scale
• C. profile
• D. point
• E. ebb

Answer 1

The correct option is A key

Option A: 'Key' forms a compound word with 'low': 'low-key' that means 'not elaborate or intensive'. Here "stone age research was always" not very intensive or elaborate "in India".

Compound words are sometimes idiomatic in expression, i.e. they have a meaning different from the literal meanings of the individual words.

Hence this word forms a complete meaningful sentence and option A is correct.

Option B: 'Low scale' does not have a complete meaning.

Option C: 'Low profile' means 'not attracting much attention or publicity'.

Option D: 'Low point' means 'worst part of something'.

Option E: 'Low ebb' is a part of a phrase 'at a low ebb' that means 'in a bad or weak state'.

These words are not the most suitable to the sentence in meaning and relevance.

Hence options B, C, D and E are incorrect.