Complete the sentence: Universalism is to particularism as diffuseness is to …
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GATE CSE 2013 · Q57
MCQ1 markMedium
Time
Complete the sentence: Universalism is to particularism as diffuseness is to ____________.
Select one answerSingle correct
Pick an option to check
Solution
Step-by-step verified solution
Official answer: A) specificity
Verbal AptitudeIn sociological pattern variables (formulated by Talcott Parsons):
Universalism and particularism are polar opposites (antonyms).
Similarly, diffuseness (relationships with broad, ill-defined scopes) is the exact opposite of specificity (relationships focused on a specific, narrow obligation).
Thus, the relationship is an antonymous analogy, making specificity (Option A) the correct choice.
Try the question first, then check your work.
Examiner trap
The misconception this question tests
Identify the relationship between 'Universalism' and 'Particularism' (they are opposites/dichotomies) and find the opposite of 'diffuseness'.
This Verbal Aptitude previous year question is Q57 of the GATE CSE 2013 paper. Find more GATE CSE PYQs on Verbal Aptitude in General Aptitude, or browse all GATE CSE PYQs.
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Verbal Aptitude in GATE CSE
Verbal Aptitude has 41 GATE CSE PYQs across 13 papers from 2011 to 2026. 29 of them are 1-mark MCQs like this one, and GATE CSE 2013 has 5.
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Independent practice explanation verified by the GateAI team. GATE is conducted by the IITs; question text follows the official paper.