Basic Details
Word: Burden
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: A heavy load or something that is difficult to carry; can also refer to a responsibility that is hard to manage.
Synonyms: Load, weight, responsibility
Antonyms: Relief, ease, comfort
Idioms and Phrases
- Lighten the burden: To make someone's responsibilities or worries easier to manage. Example: "She offered to help with the project to lighten the burden on her colleague."
- Carry a burden: To deal with a difficult situation or responsibility. Example: "Many people carry a burden of expectations that can be overwhelming."
Usage Examples
Example 1: After his father's passing, he felt the burden of being the head of the family at a young age.
Example 2: The team worked together to share the burden of completing the project on time.
Example 3: Carrying heavy boxes can become a burden if you dont take the right breaks.
Fun Fact
The word "burden" comes from the Old English word "byrdan," which means to carry or to support. It highlights how burdens have been part of human life for centuries, often relating to physical loads as well as emotional struggles.
Famous Quote
"No one can be prepared for everything, but everyone can learn to embrace the burdens that life places on them." Anonymous
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "burden" mean?
a) A light weight
b) A heavy load
c) A type of food
d) A type of clothing
Answer: b) A heavy load
2. Which of these is a synonym of "burden"?
a) Joy
b) Load
c) Friend
d) Light
Answer: b) Load
3. Which word is an antonym of "burden"?
a) Responsibility
b) Weight
c) Relief
d) Duty
Answer: c) Relief
4. Which sentence uses "burden" correctly?
a) The burden was dancing at the party.
b) She realised that her burden was too heavy to carry alone.
c) He finished the burden in no time.
d) The burden flew high in the sky.
Answer: b) She realised that her burden was too heavy to carry alone.
5. What does "lighten the burden" mean?
a) To make something heavier
b) To ease someone's responsibilities
c) To ignore a problem
d) To create a new burden
Answer: b) To ease someone's responsibilities
