Basic Details
Word: Astound
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: To surprise or shock someone very much.
Synonyms: Astonish, amaze, shock
Antonyms: Bore, calm, disappoint
Idioms and Phrases
- Astound the masses: To impress or surprise a large group of people. Example: "The magician's tricks astounded the masses at the fair."
- Astounded beyond belief: Feeling completely overwhelmed by surprise. Example: "She was astounded beyond belief when she won the grand prize."
Usage Examples
Example 1: The young inventor's new robot design astounded everyone at the science fair.
Example 2: When she opened her birthday present, the sheer size of the gift astounded her.
Example 3: The film was so good that it left the audience astounded and silent when it ended.
Fun Fact
The word "astound" comes from the Old English word "astundan," which means "to stun or make someone feel as if they've been hit." It's a combination of 'as' (to the extent) and 'stund' (to stand) in the sense of being stunned or shocked.
Famous Quote
"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." Nelson Mandela. This quote astounds us by emphasising the transformative power of knowledge.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "astound" mean?
a) To bore someone
b) To surprise or shock
c) To ignore someone
d) To invite someone
Answer: b) To surprise or shock
2. Which of these is a synonym of "astound"?
a) Shock
b) Calm
c) Disappoint
d) Bore
Answer: a) Shock
3. Which of the following is an antonym of "astound"?
a) Amaze
b) Astonish
c) Bore
d) Surprise
Answer: c) Bore
4. Which sentence uses "astound" correctly?
a) The news astounded everyone in the room.
b) The dog astounded the car.
c) She astounded her lunch.
d) He was astound by the rain.
Answer: a) The news astounded everyone in the room.
5. What does the idiom "astound the masses" mean?
a) To disappoint a crowd
b) To impress a large group of people
c) To confuse a few individuals
d) To ignore the crowd
Answer: b) To impress a large group of people
