Question

Read the passage and answer the questions that follow.

The world is full of people - appallingly full; it has never been so full before, and they are all tumbling over each other. Most of these people one doesn't know and some of them one doesn't like. Well, what is one to do? There are two solutions. One of them is the Nazi solution. If you don't like people, kill them, banish them, and segregate them. The other way is much less thrilling, but it is, on the whole, the way of the democracies, and I prefer it. If you don't like people, put up with them as well as you can. Don't try to love them: you can't, you'll only strain yourself. But try to tolerate them.

What does the author mean by 'appallingly'?

• A. He is making an appeal to the leaders of the masses
• B. In disconcertingly large numbers
• C. Very interesting
• D. Unpredictably

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

In disconcertingly large numbers

Here, "appallingly" is used as an intensifier which means in large amounts. Literally, 'appallingly' means 'in a terrible manner'. However, in the given context, the author uses 'appallingly' to refer to large numbers in a negative way so, the correct answer is option B.