In the following vocabulary question, out of the four alternatives, select the word opposite in meaning to the given word: Savant.

Introduction / Context:
This question tests knowledge of antonyms, that is, words with opposite meanings. The target word “savant” refers to a person who is learned, highly knowledgeable, or an expert in a particular field. The task is to choose the word that most clearly expresses the opposite idea, namely someone who is not skilled or experienced.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- Word given: “Savant”. - Usual meaning: a learned person or scholar, often with deep knowledge in a specialised area. - Options include words that suggest expertise and a word that suggests inexperience.

Concept / Approach:
To find an antonym, first be clear about the meaning of the original word. A “savant” is similar to an expert, scholar, or pundit. Therefore, the opposite should be someone who lacks expertise, skill, or experience. The English word “amateur” typically refers to a person who engages in an activity as a hobby or without professional skill. That makes “amateur” the best opposite among the given options.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Define “savant”. It refers to a person of great learning or knowledge, often a scholar or specialist. Step 2: Identify synonyms among the options. “Academic”, “Pundit”, and “Egghead” all suggest someone who is learned or intellectual. Step 3: Recognise “Expert” as another synonym for someone who has high-level knowledge or skill. Step 4: Look at “Amateur”. This word indicates a person who is not a professional or expert, often someone with limited experience. Step 5: Since the question asks for the opposite in meaning, the correct choice must be “Amateur”.

Verification / Alternative check:
Think of a pair in a sentence: “In the discussion, the savant easily outargued the amateur.” Here, “savant” and “amateur” clearly oppose each other in level of knowledge. If we try to use “savant” opposite “academic” or “pundit”, the contrast disappears, because they refer to similar levels of learning. This supports the conclusion that “amateur” is the correct antonym.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Academic: Describes someone educated or scholarly, which is very close to “savant”. Pundit: Means a learned person or expert, especially in a particular topic, which again is similar to “savant”. Egghead: Informal term for an intellectual or very studious person, not an opposite. Expert: Direct synonym for someone highly skilled or knowledgeable.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes misinterpret the instruction for antonyms and choose a synonym instead, especially when the words are more familiar. Another pitfall is to focus on stylistic differences (formal versus informal) rather than meaning. “Egghead” may sound different from “savant” but has a similar meaning. Always compare the core idea of the words rather than their tone.

Final Answer:
The word opposite in meaning to “Savant” is Amateur.