Vocabulary-in-Context Comprehension Questions for UPSC CSE

Read the following passage and answer the question. 'Despite the ostensible harmony displayed at the summit, seasoned diplomats noted undercurrents of tension that threatened to unravel months of careful negotiation. The smiles were performative; the real battle was being waged behind closed doors.' As used in the passage, the word 'ostensible' most nearly means:

Read the following passage and answer the question. 'Her meteoric rise through the bureaucracy was attributed not merely to her competence but also to an almost preternatural ability to anticipate institutional resistance and neutralise it before it could consolidate. Colleagues often remarked that she seemed to possess an insight beyond normal human understanding.' As used in the passage, the word 'preternatural' most nearly means:

Read the following passage and answer the question. 'The economist's prognosis was sobering: without structural reforms, the nation would remain mired in a cycle of low productivity, and any short-term gains from stimulus spending would prove ephemeral.' In the context of the passage, 'ephemeral' most nearly means:

Read the following passage and answer the question. 'Despite the apparent bonhomie at the summit, diplomats privately acknowledged that the underlying tensions had not been resolved. The smiles and handshakes were largely performative, masking deep-seated disagreements over trade and territorial boundaries.' As used in the passage, the word 'bonhomie' most nearly means:

Read the following passage and answer the question. 'The committee's report was notable for its equivocation on the central question of liability. Rather than issuing a clear verdict, it hedged its conclusions with qualifications and caveats, leaving all parties free to interpret the findings in whichever way best served their interests.' As used in the passage, the word 'equivocation' most nearly means: