Basic Details
Word: Sparse
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Thinly scattered or not dense; having few things in a large area.
Synonyms: Scattered, thin, scanty
Antonyms: Dense, abundant, plentiful
Idioms and Phrases
- Sparse as raindrops: Used to describe something that is very rare or hard to find. Example: "Information about the old castle was sparse as raindrops, making it difficult to learn its history."
- Sparse crowd: Referring to a group of people that is small in number, especially in a large space. Example: "The concert had a sparse crowd, as many people chose to stay home."
Usage Examples
Example 1: The vegetation in the arid desert is sparse, with only a few hardy plants surviving.
Example 2: The report was sparse on details, leaving many questions unanswered.
Example 3: She noticed that the library had a sparse collection of books on marine biology.
Fun Fact
The word "sparse" comes from the Latin word "sparsus," which means "spread out" or "scattered." This reflects its meaning of having something laid out thinly or in a scattered fashion.
Famous Quote
"In a sparse landscape, the smallest differences can be important." - Unknown
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "sparse" mean?
a) Thick and full
b) Scattered and not dense
c) Sturdy and strong
d) Bright and colourful
Answer: b) Scattered and not dense
2. Which of these is a synonym of "sparse"?
a) Dense
b) Abundant
c) Scanty
d) Plenty
Answer: c) Scanty
3. Which of the following is an antonym of "sparse"?
a) Thin
b) Scattered
c) Dense
d) Scanty
Answer: c) Dense
4. Which sentence uses "sparse" correctly?
a) The sparse forest was filled with many trees.
b) The food on the plate was sparse and barely enough to eat.
c) The sparse crowd cheered loudly.
d) The sparse beach was crowded with people.
Answer: b) The food on the plate was sparse and barely enough to eat.
5. Which phrase means something that is not common or hard to find, similar to "sparse"?
a) Thick as a brick
b) Sparse crowd
c) Full of life
d) As rich as Croesus
Answer: b) Sparse crowd
