Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: Meek
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
This question tests antonym knowledge for the word Intrepid. Antonym questions are designed to check whether candidates can identify a word with meaning opposite to that of a given word. Intrepid is commonly used to describe a person who is very bold and fearless, particularly in adventurous or dangerous situations. Recognising its opposite helps strengthen vocabulary and comprehension of descriptive language.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
Intrepid means fearless, bold, or showing great courage in the face of danger. It often carries a positive connotation of heroic bravery. The antonym should therefore convey the idea of lacking courage, being timid, or easily frightened. Among the options, Meek best expresses this sense of mild, submissive, or timid behaviour. The other options describe desire, kindness, or an exclamation of relief, which do not represent the opposite of courageous boldness.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Define Intrepid. It describes someone who does not show fear in dangerous or challenging situations.Step 2: Identify the opposite idea, which is someone who is timid, shy, or lacking in courage.Step 3: Examine Option C: Meek. Meek means quiet, gentle, and easily imposed upon; it often suggests a person who avoids confrontation and does not display boldness.Step 4: Compare Intrepid and Meek. Where an intrepid person is bold and daring, a meek person is submissive and hesitant, making them natural opposites in many contexts.Step 5: Consider Option A: Greed. Greed is an excessive desire for something, usually wealth or power, and is unrelated to courage or fear.Step 6: Consider Option B: Kind. Kind refers to a caring and considerate nature, which is not the opposite of bravery.Step 7: Consider Option D: Sigh. Sigh is a sound made when exhaling, often as a sign of relief or sadness, and has nothing to do with courage or timidity.Step 8: Conclude that Meek is the correct antonym for Intrepid.
Verification / Alternative check:
Use example sentences to verify. The intrepid explorer ventured into the unknown jungle versus The meek traveller hesitated to leave the safety of the camp. Replacing intrepid with meek completely reverses the character trait from courageous to timid, which shows their opposite relationship. On the other hand, describing an explorer as greedy, kind, or sigh does not provide a direct opposite to fearlessness.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Common Pitfalls:
Students may be tempted to select a negative sounding word like Greed simply because Intrepid has a positive connotation, assuming the opposite must be negative. However, antonyms are based on semantic opposition, not value judgement. Another pitfall is ignoring part of speech; Intrepid and Meek are both adjectives describing character, while Sigh is usually a noun or verb, making it structurally less likely to be the correct antonym.
Final Answer:
The word that is opposite in meaning to Intrepid is Meek.
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