Antonym question: In the following question, select the word opposite in meaning to Fecund from the given options.

Introduction / Context:
This question asks you to select the word opposite in meaning to Fecund. The word is used both in literal contexts, such as fertile land, and in figurative contexts, such as a fecund imagination. A good understanding of its meaning and antonym is useful in reading descriptive and analytical passages.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- Target word: Fecund.
- Options: Prolific, Sterile, Necessitate, Turmoil, Fruitful.
We assume that the test is using the most common sense of Fecund, which relates to fertility and productivity.

Concept / Approach:
Fecund means highly fertile or very productive in terms of offspring, crops, ideas, or artistic creation. It is close in meaning to Prolific and Fruitful. Therefore, its antonym must refer to the absence of fertility or productivity. Among the options, Sterile directly means unable to produce offspring or incapable of producing results, making it the clear opposite. The other options either share similar meanings with Fecund or are unrelated.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Define Fecund: capable of producing abundant offspring, vegetation, or ideas; very fertile or productive. Step 2: Examine Prolific. This means producing much fruit, foliage, or many offspring, and is therefore a synonym, not an antonym. Step 3: Examine Sterile. This means not able to produce children or young, or in a broader sense, not productive. Step 4: Examine Necessitate. This verb means to make something necessary, and is unrelated to fertility or productivity. Step 5: Examine Turmoil. This noun means a state of great disturbance or confusion, again unrelated to fecundity. Step 6: Examine Fruitful. This means producing good or helpful results, successful, or literally bearing fruit, and is thus another synonym of Fecund. Step 7: Sterile, meaning barren or unproductive, clearly stands as the opposite of Fecund.

Verification / Alternative check:
Consider example phrases: fecund soil can support many crops, fecund imagination produces many ideas. The opposite phrases would be sterile soil, which cannot support crops, or sterile imagination, which does not produce creative ideas. Prolific and Fruitful, in contrast, would fit in the same sentences as Fecund, reinforcing that they are synonyms. Necessitate and Turmoil do not form natural opposite pairs with Fecund in any context.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
- Prolific: Means highly productive or fertile, acting as a synonym of Fecund.

- Necessitate: Means to make necessary, having no semantic relation to fertility.
- Turmoil: Refers to confusion or disorder, unrelated to productivity or fertility.
- Fruitful: Means productive or yielding good results, again very close in meaning to Fecund.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes choose Prolific or Fruitful because they recognise them as positive words from similar contexts, without noticing that the question asks for an opposite, not a similar word. It is crucial to read whether the question is about synonym or antonym. Remember Fecund equals fertile or productive, and Sterile equals barren or unproductive, making them natural opposites.

Final Answer:
Correct option: Sterile.