UPSC One
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2021 · Q2

Each item in this section consists of a sentence with an bold word followed by four words. Select the option that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word and mark your response This religious gift, that makes men human, is still alive in Indian souls.

General EnglishVocabulary
  1. Amystical
  2. Bspiritual
  3. Cmetaphysical
  4. Dphilosophical

Explanation

Religious describes belief in and practice of a religion — “this religious gift” refers to a sacred quality of the soul. Spiritual, relating to the human spirit or soul as opposed to material things, is nearest in meaning. Mystical concerns hidden spiritual mysteries, metaphysical deals with the abstract philosophy of existence, and philosophical with reasoned systems of thought — all are narrower or different. Hence (B) spiritual is correct.