Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: Skillful
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
This antonym question checks whether you can correctly identify a word that expresses the opposite meaning of inept. Such questions are basic building blocks of vocabulary evaluation. They require you to know not only the meaning of the target word but also the meanings of all the options so you can eliminate near synonyms and pick the true opposite.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
Inept describes someone who does things badly because they lack skill or competence. In many contexts, it can also imply awkwardness or unsuitability. The exact opposite of lacking skill is being good at something, that is, being skillful. Therefore, Skillful is the natural antonym. Clumsy, Artless and Inadept are all close in meaning to inept rather than its opposite, so they function as distractors in this question.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Recall the meaning of Inept: lacking skill or ability; awkward and incompetent.Check Clumsy: this means awkward in movement or behaviour, and is very similar to inept.Check Artless: can mean without skill or without deception, often simple or unsophisticated; it is not opposite to inept.Check Inadept: literally “not adept”, so again close to inept, meaning not skilled.Check Skillful: having or showing skill; very good at doing something.Since Skillful is the direct opposite of lacking skill, it is the correct antonym.
Verification / Alternative check:
Use the target word and the options in sentences:“He is an inept driver” = he drives badly.Opposite: “He is a skillful driver” = he drives very well.Now try the others:“He is a clumsy driver” – still negative and similar to inept.“He is an inadept driver” – again negative, similar to inept.“He is an artless driver” – awkward phrase; if anything, it also sounds unskilled rather than skilled.Thus, only skillful reverses the meaning from negative to positive, fulfilling the requirement of an antonym.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Clumsy shares the sense of awkwardness and poor coordination and is often used almost interchangeably with inept in everyday speech. Inadept is essentially a synonym because adept means skilled, and inadept means not skilled. Artless can sometimes mean honest and simple, but in many exam contexts it is interpreted as lacking art or skill. None of these can serve as a true opposite to inept, as they do not convey competence or ability.
Common Pitfalls:
Because several options here are negative in tone, candidates sometimes overthink and suspect a trick, especially if they are not fully confident in the nuanced meaning of artless. A good strategy is to link inept with words like incompetent and clumsy, then immediately think of capable, competent or skillful as opposites. When you see Skillful among the options, it should stand out clearly as the antonym you need to choose.
Final Answer:
The word opposite in meaning to “Inept” is Skillful.
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