In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the word that is opposite in meaning to the given word. Callow

Introduction / Context:
This antonym question focuses on the adjective "callow", which is often used to describe young people who lack experience or maturity. To find the opposite, you must think of a word that expresses worldliness, refinement, or maturity. The correct answer will be a term that contrasts sharply with being green, naive, or immature.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Target word: "Callow".
• Options: Inexperienced, Jejune, Sophisticated, Juvenile.
• We assume standard meanings: "callow" meaning immature, green, or lacking experience.
• Three of the options appear to have meanings related to youth or inexperience.

Concept / Approach:
"Callow" typically describes someone, especially a young person, who is immature or lacking life experience. Synonyms include "inexperienced", "naive", "green", and even "jejune" in some contexts. Therefore, the antonym must denote maturity, experience, and worldliness. Among the options, "sophisticated" is the only word that carries this meaning, suggesting someone who is experienced, cultured, or refined. The other options actually reinforce the idea of youth or inexperience and so are synonyms rather than opposites.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Define "callow" as immature, inexperienced, or lacking adult sophistication.Step 2: Examine "inexperienced". This directly repeats the idea of lacking experience, making it a synonym, not an antonym.Step 3: Examine "jejune". This word can mean naive, simplistic, or superficial — again a type of immaturity, so it is also close in meaning to "callow".Step 4: Examine "juvenile". This means youthful or childish, which also aligns with the idea of immaturity.Step 5: Examine "sophisticated". This means experienced, cultured, and worldly-wise, which is the opposite of being callow. Therefore, "sophisticated" is the correct antonym.

Verification / Alternative check:
Use them in sentences: "He is a callow youth with little understanding of the world" contrasts naturally with "She is a sophisticated woman with years of experience in international business." Similarly, "a callow performance" suggests lack of polish, whereas "a sophisticated performance" suggests polish and depth. Trying to substitute "inexperienced", "jejune", or "juvenile" for "callow" in the original sentence would change it very little, confirming they are synonyms rather than opposites.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A, "Inexperienced", aligns directly with the meaning of "callow" and is therefore a synonym. Option B, "Jejune", suggests naive, simplistic, or insubstantial ideas — again, not mature or sophisticated. Option D, "Juvenile", refers to youthfulness or childlike behaviour, which fits with immaturity. All three options reinforce the same basic concept of being young or inexperienced and so cannot be antonyms. Only option C, "Sophisticated", provides a clear, logical opposite.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse "antonym" with "synonym" under exam pressure, especially when several options feel semantically close to the given word. Another pitfall is not knowing the less common word "jejune" and guessing its meaning. To avoid errors, always read the question carefully and, where possible, classify each option as "similar", "opposite", or "unrelated" before choosing. Recognising that "callow" means immature makes "sophisticated" stand out as the only reasonable opposite.

Final Answer:
The word opposite in meaning to "callow" is Sophisticated.