Question

Which of the following words is not at variance with the meaning of federal (line 8, para 6)? 

• A. local
• B. confederate
• C. legislative
• D. parliamentary
• E.

Hint:

When analyzing words for their meaning, consider the underlying concept they represent in terms of government systems. Confederate and federal both deal with state-based governance structures, but with differing levels of central authority.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

The word federal refers to a system of government where power is divided between a central authority and various constituent regions or states. The word confederate is aligned with the idea of a union of states or entities, typically under a less centralized government, which aligns with the meaning of federal. - Option (A) local refers to something confined to a particular area or community, which is not in line with the broader concept of a federal system. - Option (C) legislative relates to law-making or legislature, which is a component of government but doesn't specifically relate to the federal system. - Option (D) parliamentary refers to a form of government, but again, it is not synonymous with federal. Thus, Option (B) confederate is the closest synonym, as it refers to a system of governance based on a union of states, which is conceptually related to federalism. 

Answer 2

The word "federal" describes a system of governance in which a central authority coexists with self-governing constituent units bound together by agreement, so the closest match should reflect that same union-of-units idea rather than an unrelated meaning.

1. Option A: "Local" describes something confined to a particular place or community, which is nearly the opposite emphasis of a federal system that unites multiple regions under a common central authority.
2. Option B: "Confederate" describes an alliance or union of separate states or entities that retain their own identity while cooperating under a joint arrangement, which mirrors the structural idea behind "federal."
3. Option C: "Legislative" pertains to the function of making laws, a feature that exists in many systems of government, not something specific to the federal structure itself.
4. Option D: "Parliamentary" describes a form of government based on a parliament and cabinet responsible to it, which concerns the mechanism of governing rather than the union of constituent states implied by "federal."

Since "confederate" alone carries the sense of separate units joined in a common union, it is the word not at variance with "federal."

Hence, the correct answer is Option B.