Direction: Each item in this section consists of a sentence with an underlined word followed by four options. Select the option that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word mark your response in your Answer Sheet accordingly. He is always anxious.

The word 'anxious' primarily describes a state of being very concerned, uneasy, or worried about a situation. In historical and administrative contexts, it reflects the fears and anxieties of individuals who feel unable to control events or are concerned about potential outcomes [1]. Synonyms for 'anxious' include nervous, uneasy, and troubled, all of which align with the meaning of being 'worried'. While 'anxious' can also mean being eagerly desirous or keen, its most common synonym in general usage is 'worried'. In contrast, the other options provided are antonymous or unrelated: 'dispassionate' refers to a lack of emotion, while 'sluggish' and 'torpid' describe physical or mental inactivity and dullness [3]. Therefore, 'worried' is the nearest in meaning to 'anxious' in the given sentence.

Sources

1. [1] THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART III, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 11: MAHATMA GANDHI AND THE NATIONALIST MOVEMENT > 6.4 From newspapers > p. 313
2. [3] https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english-thesaurus/apathetic/2