Basic Details
Word: Cardinal
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Very important or fundamental, something that is of chief importance.
Synonyms: Essential, primary, key, crucial
Antonyms: Secondary, minor, trivial
Idioms and Phrases
- Cardinal rule: A principle or guideline that is so important that it must be followed. Example: "In this class, the cardinal rule is to respect each others opinions."
- Cardinal numbers: Numbers that show quantity but not order, like one, two, and three. Example: "The teacher asked us to count using cardinal numbers during the math lesson."
Usage Examples
Example 1: The cardinal beliefs of the team enable them to work together harmoniously towards their common goal.
Example 2: Respect for others is a cardinal value in our school community.
Example 3: Safety is a cardinal concern during school excursions, and we always ensure students are supervised.
Fun Fact
The word "cardinal" comes from the Latin word "cardinalis," which means "pertaining to a hinge." Just as hinges are essential for doors to function, cardinal principles are fundamental to ideas or systems.
Famous Quote
"The cardinal principle of education is to develop a sense of responsibility." - Albert Einstein
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "cardinal" mean?
a) Of no importance
b) Very important
c) A type of animal
d) A style of painting
Answer: b) Very important
2. Which of these is a synonym of "cardinal"?
a) Trivial
b) Essential
c) Secondary
d) Minor
Answer: b) Essential
3. Which of these is an antonym of "cardinal"?
a) Key
b) Primary
c) Minor
d) Crucial
Answer: c) Minor
4. Which sentence uses "cardinal" correctly?
a) His cardinal shoes are very comfortable.
b) The cardinal rule is to always do your homework.
c) The bird is a beautiful cardinal colour.
d) I like to cardinal my pencils in the drawer.
Answer: b) The cardinal rule is to always do your homework.
5. What does the idiom "cardinal rule" refer to?
a) A rule that is optional
b) A rule of great importance
c) A rule that is easy to follow
d) A rule about sports
Answer: b) A rule of great importance
