Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: Identical
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
This question checks your understanding of antonyms, which are words with opposite meanings. The word "opposite" in everyday English often means "completely different" or "on the other side". Here you are asked to pick the word that best expresses the opposite idea of "opposite" itself. This is a small but interesting play on vocabulary that tests both meaning and logical thinking about opposites.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
If "opposite" means completely different or directly contrary, then its antonym should express being the same or extremely similar. Among the choices, "Identical" directly means exactly the same in every detail. "Not alike" and "Not same" both express difference, so they are similar in meaning to "opposite", not opposite to it. "Contrast" is related to difference or comparison of differences. Therefore "Identical" is the only word that truly represents the opposite concept of "opposite" in this context.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Define "opposite" as "completely different or contrary".Step 2: Identify the general meaning that would be opposite to that, which is "exactly the same".Step 3: Examine "Identical". This word means exactly the same in every respect, matching the target meaning for an antonym.Step 4: Examine "Not alike". This phrase signals difference, so it is close in sense to "opposite", not its antonym.Step 5: Examine "Not same". This again indicates difference and therefore supports the idea of opposition, not sameness.Step 6: Examine "Contrast". This word is used when we compare things to point out differences, which aligns more with the concept behind "opposite".Step 7: Conclude that only "Identical" functions as a true antonym of "opposite".
Verification / Alternative check:
Take a pair of sentences as a test. If you say "These two opinions are opposite", you mean they are completely different. If you say "These two opinions are identical", you mean they are exactly the same. When one is true, the other cannot be true. This shows that "opposite" and "identical" function as conceptual opposites when talking about similarity and difference. In contrast, phrases like "not alike" or "contrast" describe forms of difference and can often replace "opposite" in certain contexts. That confirms that they are closer in meaning rather than being antonyms.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
"Not alike" suggests that two things are different from each other, which is similar to the meaning of "opposite". "Not same" repeats the idea of difference, which again aligns with "opposite" rather than contradicting it. "Contrast" is used when highlighting differences between things, which is another way of expressing opposition. Since the question asks for the opposite of "opposite", these options that express difference cannot be correct. Only "Identical" expresses sameness and thus stands as the true antonym here.
Common Pitfalls:
Some learners may misread the question and think they are being asked to define "opposite" instead of finding its antonym. In that case, they might incorrectly choose "Not alike" or "Contrast" because those options are quite close to the meaning of "opposite". It is also easy to be misled by wording like "Not same", which looks like a direct grammatical opposite of the phrase "the same" but not of the word "opposite". Always read carefully whether the question is asking for a synonym or an antonym. A quick trick is to first think of a simple word that expresses the opposite meaning, such as "same", and then look for the closest match among the options, which in this case is "Identical".
Final Answer:
The most appropriate antonym of "opposite" is Identical.
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