Discussion

Explanation:

The main points in the précis are:

  • The meaning of a word is often ambiguous and it is only from examining its use in real life that we can come to an understanding of the meaning of that word – this is the ‘meaning in use’ doctrine.
  • The dictionary meaning of a word on the other hand, is ‘fixed’ by the lexicographer who derives its meaning from certain exchanges.
  • The ‘meaning in use’ approach to words is a fluid one that leaves it to the usage of  words whereas the dictionary approach to words fixes the meaning of words from the usage of the words.

Option 1 is incorrect. The précis makes a comparison between the two approaches and suggests that the ‘meaning in use’ approach makes more sense. However, it does not state that the ‘actual’ meaning of words is to be decided by free-exchange alone and not by references. Eliminate option 1.
Option 2 is inaccurate. The précis favours the flexible approach to the meaning of words and not the fixed one. Eliminate option 2.
Option 3 is correct. It sums up the précis accurately by stating that the meaning of words is to be derived from their usage and that this approach is unfortunately reversed in the dictionary use where usage is observed only to “fix” meaning. Retain option 3.
Option 4 is incorrect. The précis clearly favours the ‘meaning in use’ approach to the dictionary one. Eliminate option 4.
Hence, the correct answer is option 3.

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