Vocabulary—Antonyms MCQ: Choose the word that is most nearly opposite in meaning to ‘‘STARTLED’’; carefully compare subtle differences between emotional states (surprise vs. calmness) to select the best antonym from the options.

Given word
STARTLED (adjective/participle): suddenly surprised or alarmed; taken unawares.

Concept/Approach
We need the antonym—a word conveying the opposite emotional state. ‘‘Startled’’ implies a jolt of surprise or fright; the opposite is a state of calm, ease, or lack of disturbance.

Option-by-option analysis
Relaxed: calm, at ease, unperturbed—directly opposite to being startled. ✅Amused: entertained; may still involve surprise, not opposite. ❌Endless: relates to duration, not emotion. ❌Astonished: very surprised—near-synonym, not opposite. ❌

Usage examples
‘‘He remained relaxed even when the lights went out suddenly; others looked startled.’’

Common pitfalls
Confusing near-synonyms (‘‘astonished’’) with antonyms; picking an unrelated dimension (‘‘endless’’).

Final Answer
Relaxed