UPSC EPFO APFC 2023 · Question 10

Question 10 of the UPSC EPFO APFC Recruitment Test 2023 (General Studies) (2 July 2023). Try it first, then open the answer and explanation.

1. APFC 2023 · Q10 · General English · Vocabulary & Idioms

   Choose the word or phrase closest in meaning to the underlined word "complacency". Notwithstanding our victory today we must be careful to avoid a feeling of "complacency".

   1. Smug and self-satisfied
   2. A defensive attitude
   3. Pride
   4. Feeling of superiority
   Show answer

   Answer: (1) Smug and self-satisfied

   Complacency is a smug, uncritical satisfaction with oneself or one's achievements, which makes a person relax and ignore dangers or the need to improve. After a victory the risk is exactly that: feeling self-satisfied and letting one's guard down, which is why the speaker says "notwithstanding our victory". "Pride" and "feeling of superiority" are related but lack the sense of contented carelessness, and "a defensive attitude" is unrelated. Do not confuse it with complaisance, which means willingness to please others.

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