In the following English vocabulary question on antonyms, select the option that is opposite in meaning to the given word. Tempestuous describes something full of violent emotions or stormy disturbance. Which option expresses the opposite idea?

Introduction / Context:
This question asks for the antonym of the word tempestuous. Tempestuous literally relates to violent storms, and figuratively it describes situations, relationships, or emotions that are very turbulent and full of upheaval. The opposite would be a state that is peaceful, stable, and free from such turmoil.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Tempestuous means stormy, violent, or very emotionally turbulent.
• The options available are stress, toil, calm, and examine.
• An antonym must represent the lack of disturbance or turbulence.
• We assume the question focuses on the general descriptive sense used in everyday English.
• The context may be a tempestuous relationship, a tempestuous debate, or a tempestuous sea.

Concept / Approach:
To find an antonym, think of the mood or condition described by the word. Tempestuous calls to mind stormy seas or heated arguments, full of energy and conflict. The opposite mood is calm, which signifies peace, quiet, and absence of storms. The other options are related to work, tension, or analysis, and do not serve as direct opposites.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Visualise a tempestuous sea, with high waves and strong winds. Step 2: Ask what the exact opposite kind of sea would be like. It would be smooth and calm, with no storms. Step 3: Compare this with the options. Calm clearly fits this opposite picture. Step 4: Note that stress is related to anxiety, which is more like turbulence than calmness. Step 5: Recognise that toil and examine have no direct link to the idea of storms or peacefulness.

Verification / Alternative check:
Consider phrases such as a tempestuous argument and a calm discussion. The second phrase does not involve shouting or emotional storms, which confirms that calm is an appropriate opposite to tempestuous. This line of thinking works equally well for relationships and weather related descriptions.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Option A, stress, describes mental or emotional strain and is more similar to tempestuous conditions than the opposite.
• Option B, toil, refers to hard work and effort, but not necessarily to emotional storms or their absence.
• Option D, examine, relates to analysis or inspection and does not contrast meaningfully with a stormy or turbulent state.

Common Pitfalls:
A common error is to choose a word that simply feels different from the base word, rather than one that is truly opposite. Another mistake is to focus only on one narrow sense, such as stormy weather, and ignore the broader emotional meaning. In both senses, however, calm consistently stands as the best opposite to tempestuous.

Final Answer:
Because tempestuous describes stormy, violent, or emotionally turbulent conditions, its opposite is a state of peace and quiet. Thus, the correct antonym is Calm, referring to a state of peace and lack of disturbance.