In each of the following verbal analogy questions, find the alternative pair of words that best replaces the question mark in the relationship Graceful : Clumsy :: ? : ?

Introduction / Context:
This analogy question tests understanding of opposite word pairs, also called antonyms. The given pair is Graceful : Clumsy, where graceful describes someone or something that moves smoothly and elegantly, while clumsy describes movement that is awkward or lacking coordination. The task is to identify which option shows a similar opposite relationship between two words. Such questions are common in verbal reasoning and vocabulary based examinations and reward a clear sense of meaning and nuance in everyday English usage.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- The reference pair of words is Graceful : Clumsy.
- Graceful and clumsy have opposite meanings in the context of movement and behaviour.
- Each option presents a pair of English words with some semantic relationship.
- Exactly one option is intended to show a clear antonym relationship similar to the original pair.

Concept / Approach:
In verbal analogies, we first classify the relationship in the question pair. Here, graceful is a positive quality that indicates elegance, while clumsy is a negative quality indicating awkwardness. They are not synonyms or cause effect partners but direct opposites. Once this pattern of antonyms is recognised, we scan every option and ask whether the two words are also strong and natural opposites in common English usage. Pairs that show synonymy, containment, or some weaker contrast should be rejected. The option that shows a clear opposite relationship similar to the reference pair is the correct answer.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify the relationship in Graceful : Clumsy. They are opposite adjectives describing manner of movement or behaviour. Step 2: Examine option A, Horror : Sympathy. Horror is a strong fear or disgust, while sympathy is a feeling of understanding and concern. They are not direct antonyms. Step 3: Examine option B, Laugh : Cry. Laugh is the act of expressing joy or amusement, while cry is the act of weeping, often from sadness or pain. These are classic opposites in emotional expression. Step 4: Examine option C, Recapitulate : Synopsis. Recapitulate means to summarise again, and synopsis is a summary. They are related but not opposite. Step 5: Examine option D, Encumber : Burden. Encumber and burden both refer to loading or weighing down, so they are near synonyms, not opposites. Step 6: Conclude that only Laugh : Cry mirrors the opposite relationship seen in Graceful : Clumsy.

Verification / Alternative check:
A quick verification is to try placing the option pair into the same pattern. We can say graceful is the opposite of clumsy, and similarly laugh is the opposite of cry. The other options fail this test because horror is not the direct opposite of sympathy, recapitulate is related to synopsis, and encumber is similar in meaning to burden. Thus, option B uniquely matches the pattern of strong antonyms. This confirms that the chosen pair preserves both the part of speech and the type of semantic relationship.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A: Horror : Sympathy represents two emotional states, but they are not strict opposites. Sympathy often responds to suffering, not necessarily to horror. Option C: Recapitulate : Synopsis gives a verb and a noun that are conceptually related through summarising, which is a synonym or process relationship, not an antonym pattern. Option D: Encumber : Burden shows two words that both mean to weigh down or place a load on someone or something, making them near synonyms and therefore unsuitable for mirroring an opposite relationship.

Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to choose pairs that merely feel negative or positive, without checking for strict opposition. Another pitfall is to select word pairs that are strongly related in any way, including synonyms or cause effect relations, instead of focusing on antonyms. Exam takers also sometimes ignore part of speech and choose mismatched grammatical forms. Here, all options are noun or verb pairs, but only Laugh : Cry clearly mirrors graceful versus clumsy as emotional or behavioural opposites. Careful reading of meanings avoids these errors.

Final Answer:
The only option that shows the same kind of opposite relationship as Graceful : Clumsy is Laugh : Cry, so option B is correct.