Basic Details
Word: Diligent
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: To be careful and hardworking when doing a task.
Synonyms: Hardworking, industrious, careful
Antonyms: Lazy, negligent, careless
Idioms and Phrases
- Burn the midnight oil: To work late into the night to complete a task. Example: "She had to burn the midnight oil to finish her project on time."
- Put your nose to the grindstone: To work hard and diligently. Example: "He put his nose to the grindstone during exam week to achieve good grades."
Usage Examples
Example 1: The diligent student always completed her homework before playing with friends.
Example 2: His diligent approach to studying helped him pass the exam with flying colours.
Example 3: If you want to succeed, you must be diligent in your efforts and never give up.
Fun Fact
Interestingly, the word "diligent" comes from the Latin word "diligere", which means "to value highly or to esteem". This shows that being diligent is not just about hard work, but also about valuing the task at hand.
Famous Quote
"Diligence is the mother of good luck." Benjamin Franklin
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "diligent" mean?
a) Careless and lazy
b) Careful and hardworking
c) Uninterested and bored
d) Quiet and shy
Answer: b) Careful and hardworking
2. Which of these is a synonym of "diligent"?
a) Disinterested
b) Hardworking
c) Clumsy
d) Reckless
Answer: b) Hardworking
3. Which of the following is an antonym of "diligent"?
a) Attentive
b) Careful
c) Lazy
d) Industrious
Answer: c) Lazy
4. Which sentence uses "diligent" correctly?
a) The diligent cat walked on the fence.
b) The diligent student studied hard for the exam.
c) The diligent moon rose in the sky.
d) The diligent tree grew taller every day.
Answer: b) The diligent student studied hard for the exam.
5. What does the idiom "put your nose to the grindstone" mean?
a) To play games
b) To work hard
c) To take a break
d) To eat lunch
Answer: b) To work hard
