CDS 2026 (I) English, question 16

Topic: Synonyms

Answers by SolvedPaper. UPSC has not released the official answer key for this paper yet. We will update it when they do.

Directions · Q11 to Q20

In the following items select the option that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word in the given sentences and mark your response on the Answer Sheet accordingly.

Q16

It is ingenuous to suppose that money did not play a part in his decision.

  1. (a) naiveCorrect answer
  2. (b) clever
  3. (c) erudite
  4. (d) probing

Solution.

Answer: (a) naive

  1. Ingenuous here means innocent, trusting or naive.
  2. The sentence criticises an overly innocent assumption about money's influence.
  3. Do not confuse ingenuous with ingenious, meaning inventive or clever.