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

Introduction / Context:
This question tests your understanding of advanced vocabulary and your ability to find antonyms. The given word is opprobrium, which is often used in high level English to describe strong public criticism or disgrace. To choose the correct answer, you must know that we are looking for a word that conveys the opposite idea, such as praise or admiration.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- Target word: Opprobrium. - Options: Adulation, Ignominy, Mystical, Preclude. - One option should represent the opposite of public disgrace or harsh criticism.

Concept / Approach:
Opprobrium refers to harsh, abusive criticism or the state of being publicly disgraced. It is strongly negative. The direct opposite would be high praise or admiration, especially enthusiastic praise. Adulation means excessive admiration or flattery. Ignominy is similar in meaning to opprobrium, because it also means public shame or disgrace. Mystical and preclude belong to very different meaning fields. Therefore, adulation stands as the correct antonym here.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Define opprobrium as very strong disapproval, censure or disgrace in the eyes of others. Step 2: Examine Adulation. Adulation refers to excessive praise, admiration or flattery, which is clearly opposite to harsh criticism. Step 3: Examine Ignominy. Ignominy means deep shame or public disgrace, which is very close to the idea of opprobrium, not opposite. Step 4: Examine Mystical. Mystical relates to mystery, spirituality or the supernatural and has nothing to do with criticism or praise. Step 5: Examine Preclude. Preclude means to prevent something from happening, which again is unrelated to the scale of praise or blame.

Verification / Alternative check:
Think of typical uses. A leader might face opprobrium for corruption, meaning that the leader faces heavy public criticism and disgrace. The opposite situation would be that the leader receives adulation for honesty and service, meaning enthusiastic praise. Replacing opprobrium with adulation in such sentences reverses the meaning. But replacing it with ignominy would not reverse it; it would keep it negative. Mystical and preclude do not fit this context at all. This comparison confirms that adulation is the correct antonym.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Ignominy is wrong because it is nearly a synonym of opprobrium, both indicating shame and disgrace. Mystical is wrong because it refers to spiritual or mysterious aspects and has no relation to public praise or blame. Preclude is wrong because it means to prevent or make impossible and belongs to a completely different semantic field.

Common Pitfalls:
A frequent mistake is to pick ignominy because exam takers know it is a difficult word and assume that such words are often correct. However, in an antonym question, ignominy is too close to the original meaning and therefore cannot be the opposite. To avoid such mistakes, always restate the target word in simpler language first, for example opprobrium means severe criticism or disgrace, and then search for a word expressing the opposite sentiment, such as praise or admiration. Linking opprobrium with disgrace and adulation with excessive praise in your mind will help you remember this pair.

Final Answer:
The word that is opposite in meaning to Opprobrium is Adulation.