English Vocabulary — Antonym (choose the word opposite in meaning to the highlighted word). Sentence: The commission took two years to go through the massive collection of files and documents before preparing its report.

Introduction / Context:
“Massive collection” emphasizes very large quantity or extent. The antonym should oppose magnitude/abundance in this noun phrase context. Distinguishing quantity/extent from weight or duration helps you avoid common traps in vocabulary tests and real-world reading of audits or archival notes.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Target adjective: massive = very large in size/extent/quantity (in this collocation).
• Noun it modifies: collection of files and documents (count/extent, not physical mass alone).
• Options: meager, heavy, light, short.

Concept / Approach:
For collections, the opposite of “massive” is “meager” (scanty, too small in amount). “Light” primarily contrasts weight; “short” contrasts length/time; “heavy” is near-synonymous with massive in general emphasis. Therefore, “meager” is the precise antonym in this informational context.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Replace: “the meager collection of files …” This shifts meaning cleanly and idiomatically, proving the antonymic relation in context.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• heavy: Reinforces largeness or burden; not opposite.
• light: Weight-based contrast, not about count/extent here.
• short: Time/length contrast; wrong dimension.

Common Pitfalls:
Letting everyday weight sense override the textual clue (“collection” → amount). When choosing antonyms, lock onto the dimension the noun phrase highlights.

Final Answer:
meager