In 1852 the Great Trigonometrical Survey of India measured Everest's elevation as 29,002 feet above sea level. This figure remained the officially height for more than one hundred years. In 1955 it was adjusted by a mere 26 feet to 29,028 (8,848 m).
The mountain received its official name in 1865 in honour of Sir George Everest, the British Surveyor General from 1830—1843 who had mapped the Indian subcontinent. He had some about having his name bestowed on the peak, arguing that the mountain should retain its local appellation, the standard policy of geographical societies.
Before the Survey of India, a number of other mountains ranked supreme in the eyes of the world. In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, the Andean peak Chimborazo was considered the highest. At a relatively unremarkable 20,561 feet (6,310 m), it is in fact nowhere near the highest, by about thirty other Andean peaks and several dozen in the Himalayas. In 1809, the Himalayan peak Dhaulagiri (26,810 ft.; 8,172 m) was declared the ultimate, only to be shunted aside in 1840 by Kanchenjunga (28,208 ft.; 8,598 m), which today ranks third. Everest's status has been unrivalled for the last century-and-a-half, but not without a few threats.
Result:
AI explanationShows the answer. Tap to open.
Correct answer: surveyors
Explanation: The term 'surveyors' fits grammatically as a plural noun that refers to professionals who measure land and elevations. Contextually, it aligns with the action of establishing the height of Mount Everest, making it the most logical choice.
Meaning: 'Surveyors' are individuals who measure and map land, often determining elevations and boundaries.
Wrong options:
- purveyors: 'Purveyors' refers to suppliers or providers, which does not fit the context of measuring height.
- surveillance: 'Surveillance' pertains to monitoring or observing, which is unrelated to the act of measuring a mountain's height.
- persuasion: 'Persuasion' involves convincing someone to do something, which is not relevant to the context of establishing a mountain's height.
Correct answer: illusion
Explanation: The word 'illusion' fits grammatically as a noun that conveys a false perception of height. Contextually, it aligns with the idea that other peaks appeared taller than Peak XV, making it the most suitable choice.
Meaning: 'Illusion' refers to a false idea or belief, particularly one that misrepresents reality.
Wrong options:
- inclusion: 'Inclusion' refers to the act of including something, which does not relate to the perception of height.
- allusion: 'Allusion' is a reference to something else, which is not applicable in this context.
- anticipation: 'Anticipation' refers to expecting something, which does not fit the context of perceived height.
Correct answer: accepted
Explanation: The word 'accepted' is the correct past participle that indicates the height was officially recognized. It fits grammatically and contextually, as it describes the status of Everest's height over time.
Meaning: 'Accepted' means recognized or approved as valid or true.
Wrong options:
- excepted: 'Excepted' means excluded, which does not apply to the context of height measurement.
- incepted: 'Incepted' is not commonly used and does not fit the context of an official measurement.
- intercepted: 'Intercepted' refers to stopping something in transit, which is irrelevant to the context of height.
Correct answer: reservations
Explanation: The word 'reservations' fits grammatically as a plural noun indicating doubts or concerns. Contextually, it aligns with Sir George Everest's feelings about having the mountain named after him.
Meaning: 'Reservations' refer to doubts or concerns about something.
Wrong options:
- applications: 'Applications' refers to requests or uses, which does not fit the context of personal feelings about a name.
- implications: 'Implications' are suggestions or consequences, which do not directly relate to personal concerns.
- rejections: 'Rejections' means dismissals, which does not accurately reflect Everest's feelings about the naming.
Correct answer: surpassed
Explanation: The word 'surpassed' is the correct past participle that indicates being exceeded in height. It fits grammatically and contextually, as it describes how Chimborazo is no longer the highest peak.
Meaning: 'Surpassed' means to go beyond or exceed in some way.
Wrong options:
- transposed: 'Transposed' means to change places, which does not apply to the context of height comparison.
- surmises: 'Surmises' means to guess or infer, which is not relevant to the factual statement about height.
- reduces: 'Reduces' means to make smaller, which contradicts the context of comparing heights.
The rest of this explanation is for members. Sign in free to read why the other options are wrong, key words and tips.
Sign in to read the full explanation