Basic Details
Word: Germination
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: The process by which a seed begins to grow and develops into a new plant.
Synonyms: Sprouting, budding, emergence
Antonyms: Dormancy, stagnation
Idioms and Phrases
- Get the ball rolling: To start a process or activity. Example: "To get the ball rolling, we need to prepare the soil for germination."
- Plant the seed: To introduce an idea or suggestion that may develop later. Example: "He planted the seed of a new project during the meeting, and now everyone is excited about it."
Usage Examples
Example 1: Germination occurs when a seed absorbs water and swells up, breaking through its outer shell.
Example 2: The gardener checked the soil temperature to ensure it was warm enough for germination.
Example 3: After a week of proper care, the germination of the sunflower seeds surprised the children with tiny green shoots.
Fun Fact
The term "germination" comes from the Latin word "germen," meaning "to sprout." This process can vary greatly depending on the type of seed, with some taking just a few days to germinate while others can take weeks or even months.
Famous Quote
"Even the smallest seed can blossom into a beautiful flower." Unknown
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "germination" mean?
a) The process of photosynthesis
b) The process by which a seed begins to grow
c) The process of pollination
d) The process of a plant wilting
Answer: b) The process by which a seed begins to grow
2. Which of these is a synonym of "germination"?
a) Budding
b) Pruning
c) Harvesting
d) Cultivating
Answer: a) Budding
3. Which of the following is an antonym of "germination"?
a) Stagnation
b) Growth
c) Development
d) Flourishing
Answer: a) Stagnation
4. Which sentence uses "germination" correctly?
a) The germination of the seed took place under the sunlight.
b) Germination is when a flower blooms in spring.
c) During germination, we cut the plants back.
d) The germination should be harvested in autumn.
Answer: a) The germination of the seed took place under the sunlight.
5. What does the idiom "plant the seed" mean?
a) To start growing plants
b) To introduce an idea that may develop later
c) To throw away old seeds
d) To speed up the germination process
Answer: b) To introduce an idea that may develop later
