0
0

Behavior / Emotion-related Substitution

Introduction

The Behavior / Emotion-related Substitution pattern deals with replacing a description of a person’s attitude, behavior, or emotional tendency with one precise word.

This pattern is widely used in competitive exams to test your understanding of personality-based vocabulary such as brave, selfish, kind, or hypocritical qualities.

Pattern: Behavior / Emotion-related Substitution

Pattern

The key idea is: Replace the description of a person’s inner quality or behavior with the correct one-word term.

Example: “One who is fearless” → Intrepid
“One who pretends to be religious” → Hypocrite
“One who cannot be corrected” → Incorrigible

Step-by-Step Example

Question

One who shows great courage in danger is called ________.

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify the behavior

    The phrase “shows great courage in danger” refers to bravery and fearlessness.

  2. Step 2: Recall the correct term

    The word for someone who is bold and fearless in the face of danger is Valiant or Intrepid.

  3. Step 3: Select the most precise one

    In this context, Intrepid (meaning fearless and adventurous) fits perfectly.

  4. Final Answer:

    Intrepid → Fearless person.

  5. Quick Check:

    “Intrepid explorer” means one who faces danger without fear ✅

Quick Variations

  • 1. One who is excessively proud → Arrogant
  • 2. One who shows kindness → Benevolent
  • 3. One who pretends to be what he is not → Hypocrite
  • 4. One who cannot control anger → Irascible
  • 5. One who is extremely optimistic → Sanguine
  • 6. One who cannot be corrected → Incorrigible

Trick to Always Use

  • Step 1: Identify the emotional or behavioral quality (e.g., kindness, pride, fearlessness).
  • Step 2: Recall the root or prefix meaning - e.g., “bene” (good), “hypo” (under/pretend), “in-” (not).
  • Step 3: Match the word that directly expresses the behavior in a single term.

Summary

Summary

  • Behavior or emotion words describe how a person acts, feels, or reacts consistently.
  • Roots help identify meanings - e.g., “bene” = good, “hypo” = false, “ira” = anger.
  • Always select the word that conveys both intensity and nature of the behavior.
  • Common terms: Intrepid (brave), Benevolent (kind), Hypocrite (pretender), Arrogant (proud).

Practice

(1/5)
1. One who is habitually afraid or lacking courage is called ________.
easy
A. Coward
B. Brave
C. Valiant
D. Bold

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify the behaviour

    'Habitually afraid or lacking courage' describes someone who avoids danger due to fear.

  2. Step 2: Recall the precise term

    The correct word for such a person is a Coward.

  3. Step 3: Distinguish similar words

    'Brave', 'Valiant', and 'Bold' are opposites - they denote courage, not fear.

  4. Final Answer:

    Coward → Option A.

  5. Quick Check:

    Coward = person who lacks courage ✅
Hint: Think 'coward' = lacks courage; opposites are brave/valiant.
Common Mistakes: Choosing positive courage words (Brave/Valiant) instead of 'Coward'.
2. One who is unselfishly concerned for or devoted to the welfare of others is called ________.
easy
A. Egotist
B. Altruist
C. Aristocrat
D. Misanthrope

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify the attitude

    'Unselfishly concerned for the welfare of others' indicates selfless behaviour.

  2. Step 2: Recall the correct term

    A person who acts selflessly for others' benefit is an Altruist.

  3. Step 3: Contrast with distractors

    'Egotist' = self-centered; 'Misanthrope' = hates mankind - both opposite meanings.

  4. Final Answer:

    Altruist → Option B.

  5. Quick Check:

    Altruist = someone who cares for others above self ✅
Hint: Altru = other; Altruist = other-focused, selfless person.
Common Mistakes: Confusing 'Altruist' with 'Egotist' (self-centered).
3. One who boasts excessively about his achievements is called ________.
easy
A. Modest
B. Humble
C. Vainglorious
D. Reserved

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify the behaviour

    'Boasts excessively about achievements' implies showing off and seeking praise.

  2. Step 2: Recall the precise term

    The appropriate word is Vainglorious, meaning excessively proud and boastful.

  3. Step 3: Distinguish opposites

    'Modest', 'Humble', and 'Reserved' are opposite traits and do not fit.

  4. Final Answer:

    Vainglorious → Option C.

  5. Quick Check:

    Vainglorious = boastful and excessively proud ✅
Hint: Vain + glorious → Vainglorious = vainly seeking glory (boastful).
Common Mistakes: Picking 'Modest' or 'Humble' which are opposite in meaning.
4. One who is easily moved to anger; quick-tempered is called ________.
medium
A. Phlegmatic
B. Placable
C. Stolid
D. Choleric

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify the trait

    'Easily moved to anger; quick-tempered' indicates a temperament prone to anger.

  2. Step 2: Recall the correct term

    The classical term for such a temperament is Choleric.

  3. Step 3: Contrast with distractors

    'Phlegmatic' and 'Stolid' denote calmness or sluggish temperament; 'Placable' means easily calmed (not quick to anger).

  4. Final Answer:

    Choleric → Option D.

  5. Quick Check:

    Choleric = quick-tempered and irritable ✅
Hint: Choleric = choler (bile) → classical temperament linked to anger.
Common Mistakes: Confusing with 'Phlegmatic' (calm) or 'Placable' (easily calmed).
5. One who is excessively suspicious or believes others intend harm is called ________.
medium
A. Paranoid
B. Trusting
C. Gullible
D. Credulous

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify the disposition

    'Excessively suspicious or believes others intend harm' indicates an extreme mistrustful mindset.

  2. Step 2: Recall the correct term

    The suitable term is Paranoid, which describes irrational suspicion or persecution feelings.

  3. Step 3: Differentiate opposites

    'Trusting', 'Gullible', and 'Credulous' imply believing others easily - opposite to paranoid.

  4. Final Answer:

    Paranoid → Option A.

  5. Quick Check:

    Paranoid = overly suspicious or fearing persecution ✅
Hint: Par- (beside) + -noia (mind) → Paranoid = mind plagued by undue suspicion.
Common Mistakes: Confusing 'Paranoid' with 'Gullible' (which is easily trusting).

Mock Test

Ready for a challenge?

Take a 10-minute AI-powered test with 10 questions (Easy-Medium-Hard mix) and get instant SWOT analysis of your performance!

10 Questions
5 Minutes