GATE EC 2016 Set 1 — Question 3

MCQ+1 / -0.33EasyVocabulary (Words, Idioms, Phrases in Context)Verbal AptitudeGeneral Aptitude

General Aptitude → Verbal Aptitude → Vocabulary (Words, Idioms, Phrases in Context)

Last updated 5 September 2026

Question

Despite the new medicine’s____________in treating diabetes, it is not____________widely.

Correct answer (A) effectiveness --- prescribed Solution'Despite' signals a contrast between the two clauses. A positive quality of the medicine in the first blank should be contrasted with a negative outcome in the second. (A) effectiveness, prescribed: the medicine works well, yet doctors do not prescribe it widely. This is a genuine contrast and the sentence is idiomatic. Correct. (B) availability, used: being available but not widely used is a weaker contrast, and 'availability in treating diabetes' is not idiomatic. (C) prescription, available:'despite its prescription in treating diabetes, it is not available widely' does not make sense. (D) acceptance, proscribed:'proscribed' means forbidden; 'despite its acceptance, it is not forbidden widely' has no contrast. Answer: (A) Turn this into a strength. Explore AI-powered practice and doubt support with Success Tracker.

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Correct answer (A) effectiveness --- prescribed Solution'Despite' signals a contrast between the two clauses. A positive quality of the medicine in the first blank should be contrasted with a negative outcome in the second. (A) effectiveness, prescribed: the medicine works well, yet doctors do not prescribe it widely. This is a genuine contrast and the sentence is idiomatic. Correct. (B) availability, used: being available but not widely used is a weaker contrast, and 'availability in treating diabetes' is not idiomatic. (C) prescription, available:'despite its prescription in treating diabetes, it is not available widely' does not make sense. (D) acceptance, proscribed:'proscribed' means forbidden; 'despite its acceptance, it is not forbidden widely' has no contrast. Answer: (A)

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