Basic Details
Word: Primitive
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Relating to the earliest stage of development or being very basic and simple.
Synonyms: Basic, rudimentary, ancient
Antonyms: Advanced, modern, complex
Idioms and Phrases
- Primitive instincts: Refers to basic human impulses or reactions that are rooted in our early development. Example: "In times of danger, she relied on her primitive instincts to keep safe."
- Back to primitive: To revert to basic ways or ideas, often used when technology is overwhelming. Example: "During the camping trip, we went back to primitive living by cooking over a fire and sleeping outdoors."
Usage Examples
Example 1: The cave paintings showed the primitive art forms used by early humans to express their thoughts.
Example 2: Early tools were quite primitive compared to today's sophisticated technology.
Example 3: The tribe maintained a primitive way of life, living off the land without modern conveniences.
Fun Fact
The word "primitive" comes from the Latin word "primitivus," which means "first in time or order." It was used to describe things that were original or early examples of something.
Famous Quote
"Man is a creature of habit. But this habit is primitive." - Jean-Paul Sartre
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "primitive" mean?
a) Very advanced
b) Related to early development
c) Complicated
d) Super modern
Answer: b) Related to early development
2. Which of these is a synonym of "primitive"?
a) Modern
b) Basic
c) Complex
d) Recent
Answer: b) Basic
3. Which of the following is an antonym of "primitive"?
a) Simple
b) Ancient
c) Advanced
d) Rudimentary
Answer: c) Advanced
4. In what context would you use the phrase "primitive instincts"?
a) To describe fancy technology
b) To talk about basic human reactions
c) To describe a modern building
d) To refer to advanced science
Answer: b) To talk about basic human reactions
5. Which sentence uses "primitive" correctly?
a) The car was painted in a primitive colour.
b) The museum displayed primitive tools used by ancient humans.
c) He cooked a primitive meal in a restaurant.
d) The athlete showed a primitive performance in the game.
Answer: b) The museum displayed primitive tools used by ancient humans.
