Introduction / Context:
In literature classes, “fictitious” refers to something made up by the author—imagined, not existing in reality. Recognizing this core meaning helps distinguish it from words that only comment on credibility or reputation rather than existence.
Given Data / Assumptions:
- Target adjective: “fictitious.”
- Domain: literary characters.
- We need one closest synonym.
Concept / Approach:
“Fictitious” aligns with “unreal” or “imaginary.” Between the options, “unreal” is the most direct, general antonym of “real,” mapping cleanly to existence. “Imaginary” is also close, but “unreal” is broader and matches standard testing conventions. The other options misfire semantically: “unreliable” (cannot be trusted), “infamous” (notorious), and “unbelievable” (hard to believe) do not denote non-existence.
Step-by-Step Solution:
1) Distill the meaning: created by imagination; not real.2) Pick the direct opposite of “real” to reflect non-existence: “unreal.”3) Keep “imaginary” as a near-synonym but prefer the broader, textbook choice.4) Eliminate options about credibility or reputation.
Verification / Alternative check:
Substitute: “All the characters … are unreal” maintains the truth-conditional meaning (they do not exist in the real world), confirming correctness.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
unreliable: Concerns trustworthiness, not existence.infamous: About bad reputation; unrelated.unbelievable: About credibility; a real thing can be unbelievable.
Common Pitfalls:
Confusing “fictional/fictitious” with “false” or “wrong.” Fiction can be internally true to a story yet still unreal; we are testing existence, not correctness.
Final Answer:
unreal
Discussion & Comments