English Vocabulary — Antonym (choose the word opposite in meaning to the highlighted word). Sentence: He was asked to accelerate the pace of work.

Introduction / Context:
Operational directives frequently use motion metaphors such as “accelerate” (speed up) and “slacken” (slow down, reduce intensity). The question asks for the antonym of “accelerate” when talking about work pace. Recognizing these verb pairs is crucial for precisely following instructions in professional settings.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Target verb: accelerate = increase speed, hasten.
• Context: pace of work.
• Options: supervise, slacken, control, check.

Concept / Approach:
An antonym must invert speed. “Slacken” means to make slower or less intense, so it is the direct opposite in this collocation. “Control” and “check” can sometimes imply limiting, but they are broader and do not specifically mean “slow down” as a precise antonym here. “Supervise” changes the action entirely to oversight, not speed.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Substitute: “He was asked to slacken the pace of work.” This yields the expected opposite directive and is idiomatic in HR or production memos.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• supervise: Oversight, not speed.
• control: Could include speeding up or slowing down; not a strict antonym.
• check: To stop/hold back; may halt rather than simply reduce pace, and is not the set lexical opposite.

Common Pitfalls:
Choosing a generally “restrictive” word instead of the exact speed antonym. Precision matters: accelerate ↔ slacken/decelerate.

Final Answer:
slacken