Choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the underlined idiom/phrase. The old father brought home the moral of unity by asking each of his sons to break the bundle of sticks?

Appeared in: HSSC Staff Nurse - 2015

Explanation

The idiom 'to bring something home' means to make someone understand the importance or reality of something in a clear and effective way.
In the sentence, the father uses a powerful, practical example (the bundle of sticks) to make his point about unity clear and memorable.
The word 'Emphasized' correctly describes this action of giving special importance to the lesson to ensure it was fully understood and felt by his sons.
The action of using the sticks goes beyond mere words; it's a deliberate act to stress the significance of the moral.

Option A: This is incorrect because 'voiced' simply means to express something in words. The father did more than just speak; he used a physical demonstration to make his point.
Option B: This is incorrect as 'declared' implies a formal or official announcement. The context is an informal, personal lesson between a father and his sons.
Option D: This is incorrect because 'suggested' implies a mild or tentative proposal. The father's action was a strong, definitive teaching moment, not a gentle suggestion.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Idioms and Phrases as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
This question tests language comprehension, a skill crucial for all professionals, including nurses, for clear communication with patients and colleagues.
In nursing education and patient teaching, using analogies or simple demonstrations (like the father in the story) can 'bring home' complex health information, improving patient understanding and adherence.
For example, explaining heart failure using a 'plumbing' analogy of a weak pump and backed-up pipes can make the concept much clearer to a patient than using medical jargon.

How to Approach the Question

First, read the sentence carefully to understand its overall context. The sentence describes a father teaching a moral lesson about unity.
Identify the underlined idiom: 'brought home'.
Think about the action described. The father uses a 'bundle of sticks' as a tool for his lesson. This is a practical demonstration, not just words.
Consider the purpose of this demonstration. It's meant to make the lesson powerful, clear, and memorable.
Evaluate each option in this context. Does 'voiced', 'declared', 'emphasized', or 'suggested' best capture the meaning of making a point clear and forceful through a demonstration?
Eliminate the options that are too weak ('suggested') or don't fit the context of a practical lesson ('voiced', 'declared'). 'Emphasized' is the strongest fit.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Idioms and Phrases
Stem keywords: brought home, moral of unity, bundle of sticks
Lead-in keywords: best expresses the meaning
Clinical cues: The care setting changes urgency, monitoring level, and the expected nursing action.

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