CAT 2001 — VARC Question 19
For each of the words below, a contextual usage is provided. Pick the word from the alternatives given that is most inappropriate in the given context.
Parsimonious: The evidence was constructed from very parsimonious scraps of information.
Answer & solution
- A
Frugal
- B
Penurious
- C
Thrifty
Altruistic
Oops, the statement does not give you enough clues. If your vocabulary is good, you have little to worry though. Let us try the sentence first. If the evidence was constructed from scraps of information, we can infer that little information was available. Therefore, “parsimonious” means ‘sparing’ or ‘cost-conscious’ or ‘frugal’ or ‘thrifty’. In other words, a parsimonious chap is not willing to spend much, he is a miserly fellow.
‘Penurious’ is poor and a poor fellow cannot spare much. Therefore, options 1, 2 and 3 are eliminated.
‘Altruistic’ is the opposite of frugal - an altruistic person is giving and selfless; a philanthropist.
Hence, the correct answer is option 4.