Basic Details
Word: Scarcity
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: A situation where there is not enough of something for everyone who wants it.
Synonyms: Shortage, lack, deficiency
Antonyms: Abundance, plenty, surplus
Idioms and Phrases
- Scarcity breeds innovation: When there's not enough of something, people often come up with creative solutions. Example: "The scarcity breeds innovation at the school, leading to new ways to use recycled materials in projects."
- In the face of scarcity: When confronted with a lack of resources. Example: "In the face of scarcity, the community worked together to share food and supplies."
Usage Examples
Example 1: The scarcity of clean water in some regions makes it difficult for people to stay healthy.
Example 2: Due to scarcity, the price of fruits has increased significantly this season.
Example 3: The school's library faced a scarcity of books, so they organised a book donation drive.
Fun Fact
Did you know that the idea of scarcity is a key principle in economics? It helps explain how limited resources can affect supply and demand in different markets.
Famous Quote
"The scarcity of time is a real problem. You are not going to spend all that time that you do have on nonsense." Richard Branson
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "scarcity" mean?
a) A plentiful supply
b) A situation with not enough resources
c) A kind of plant
d) An animal species
Answer: b) A situation with not enough resources
2. Which of these is a synonym of "scarcity"?
a) Abundance
b) Shortage
c) Wealth
d) Surplus
Answer: b) Shortage
3. Which of the following means the opposite of "scarcity"?
a) N/A
b) Deficiency
c) Lack
d) Abundance
Answer: d) Abundance
4. Which sentence uses "scarcity" correctly?
a) The scarcity of money helped them plan their holiday.
b) They celebrated the scarcity of the new product.
c) The scarcity of food led to creative cooking methods.
d) The scarcity of friends made him very popular.
Answer: c) The scarcity of food led to creative cooking methods.
5. Which idiom relates to the idea of scarcity?
a) Scarcity breeds innovation
b) Calm before the storm
c) The ball is in your court
d) A picture is worth a thousand words
Answer: a) Scarcity breeds innovation
