Difficulty: Medium
Correct Answer: Fervent, Apathetic
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
This vocabulary question deals with the word "zealous". You are asked to choose the pair of words that are either both synonyms, both antonyms, or one synonym and one antonym of "zealous". This format tests your understanding of the central meaning of the word and your ability to recognise both similar and opposite meanings in the options provided.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
"Zealous" describes someone who shows great energy, enthusiasm, or passion in pursuit of a cause or objective. A zealous person is eager and intensely committed. Therefore, a synonym would be a word like "fervent" or "enthusiastic", while an antonym would be a word like "apathetic", meaning lacking interest or enthusiasm. The approach is to check each pair and see whether at least one of the words matches this idea of intense enthusiasm and whether the pair as a whole fits the required relationship to "zealous".
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Fix the core meaning of "zealous" as very enthusiastic, passionate, or fervent.
Step 2: Look at option A, "Droopy, Gigantic". "Droopy" suggests something hanging down or lacking energy, and "gigantic" means huge. Neither addresses intense enthusiasm, so they are unrelated.
Step 3: Look at option B, "Tenacity, Assiduity". "Tenacity" refers to persistence and determination; "assiduity" refers to careful and constant effort. These words are related to perseverance and diligence, which are close to zeal but do not directly capture emotional eagerness. Importantly, neither is a clear opposite.
Step 4: Look at option C, "Fervent, Apathetic". "Fervent" means very enthusiastic or passionate, which is a strong synonym of "zealous". "Apathetic" means lacking interest or enthusiasm, which is a clear antonym of zeal.
Step 5: Look at option D, "Conceited, Capacious". "Conceited" means excessively proud of oneself, and "capacious" means spacious. Neither relates to enthusiasm toward a cause.
Step 6: Conclude that option C is correct because it includes both a synonym and an antonym of "zealous".
Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, you can try replacing "zealous" in a sentence. For example, "She was zealous in her charity work." Replacing "zealous" with "fervent" gives "She was fervent in her charity work", which still makes sense and keeps the idea of passionate effort. Replacing "zealous" with "apathetic" produces the opposite meaning: "She was apathetic in her charity work", indicating no interest or enthusiasm. This confirms that "fervent" and "apathetic" form a correct synonym and antonym pair for "zealous". None of the other options can be used in this way without distorting the meaning.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A is wrong because "droopy" and "gigantic" do not relate to enthusiasm at all; they apply to physical appearance or size. Option B, while closer in the sense of dedication, focuses on persistence and hard work rather than emotional passion. The pair also lacks an opposite. Option D is completely unrelated to zeal, as "conceited" refers to vanity and "capacious" refers to size or capacity. These do not fit any logical relationship with "zealous".
Common Pitfalls:
Candidates sometimes confuse zeal with mere persistence or with pride in oneself. While a zealous person may be persistent, the core of the word is emotional intensity and eagerness for a cause. Another common error is to choose words that sound sophisticated without checking their meanings carefully. Always break down the target word, recall its root or related forms like "zeal", and then compare each option patiently. This habit will greatly improve accuracy on vocabulary questions of this type.
Final Answer:
The correct pair related to "zealous" is Fervent, Apathetic, where "fervent" is a synonym and "apathetic" is an antonym.
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