Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: Employed : Jobless
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:Antonym analogies require finding another pair with the same opposite polarity. “Lively : Dull” contrasts energetic versus lacking energy or animation. We need an equally direct opposite relationship in the choices.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:Scan options for pairs where one term negates the state of the other. Employment status provides a clean binary contrast like lively/dull in tone or energy.
Step-by-Step Solution:
“Employed : Jobless” — one has a job; the other lacks it. Clear antonyms.“Flower : Bud” — stages of growth, not antonyms.“Factory : Labour” — place-to-people relation, not antonyms.“Happy : Gay” — near-synonyms in many contexts.Verification / Alternative check:Try substituting: lively is to dull as employed is to jobless. Both reflect direct opposites of a condition (animation/work status). The mapping holds semantically.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Common Pitfalls:Mistaking related concepts or synonyms for antonyms. Always check whether one term truly negates the state defined by the other.
Final Answer:Employed : Jobless
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