Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: Fertile
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
Some analogies rely on contrasts within the same attribute domain. “Bald” (no hair) contrasts with “blond” (a specific hair attribute), indicating a shift from absence to a defined positive state. Similarly, “barren” (unproductive land) should contrast with a land condition denoting productivity and capacity to support growth.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
Maintain the property-to-property relation. The correct antonym for barren in land capability is fertile—land with nutrients and conditions that support plant growth. Terms like farm or vegetation do not mirror the same grammatical relation (they name objects or outcomes, not the contrasting property).
Step-by-Step Solution:
1) Identify barren as a land quality.2) Select the opposite quality: fertile.3) Eliminate nouns that are not qualitative antonyms.
Verification / Alternative check:
Standard thesaurus and agronomy usage pairs barren ↔ fertile as direct antonyms.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Common Pitfalls:
Choosing an associated noun instead of the precise opposite adjective that mirrors the relation.
Final Answer:
Fertile
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