English MCQs – Page 68 (Q671-680)

The correct answer is 'Narrow' because 'wide', meaning having a large distance from side to side, is directly opposed by 'narrow', meaning having a small distance from side to side. The distractor options, 'extensive', 'broad', and 'vast', are all synonyms of 'wide' rather than its antonym, this wide-narrow pairing being fundamental spatial vocabulary describing roads, rivers, gaps, and margins across both literal and figurative contexts, such as a 'narrow-minded' attitude.

The correct answer is 'Establish' because 'abolish', meaning to formally put an end to a system, practice, or institution, is directly opposed by 'establish', meaning to set up or bring into existence on a firm or permanent basis. The distractor options, 'terminate', 'cancel', and 'eliminate', are all synonyms of 'abolish' rather than its antonym, this abolish-establish pairing being especially common vocabulary in historical and political contexts describing laws, institutions, and systems.

The correct answer is 'Curse' because 'bless', meaning to invoke divine favor upon someone or something, is directly opposed by 'curse', meaning to invoke evil or misfortune upon someone. The distractor options, 'sanctify', 'favor', and 'consecrate', are all synonyms or closely related to 'bless' rather than its antonym, this bless-curse pairing being common vocabulary in religious, folkloric, and literary contexts describing opposing supernatural or spiritual outcomes.

The correct answer is 'Cowardice' because 'courage', meaning the ability to face danger, fear, or difficulty with confidence, is directly opposed by 'cowardice', meaning a lack of courage, an inclination to avoid danger or difficulty out of fear. The distractor options, 'bravery', 'valor', and 'boldness', are all synonyms of 'courage' rather than its antonym, this courage-cowardice pairing being one of the most fundamental character-trait opposite pairs frequently tested in vocabulary sections.

The correct answer is 'Attack' because 'defend', meaning to protect someone or something from harm or danger, is directly opposed by 'attack', meaning to take aggressive action against someone or something. The distractor options, 'guard', 'shield', and 'protect', are all synonyms of 'defend' rather than its antonym, this defend-attack pairing being fundamental military and sports-related vocabulary describing offensive and defensive actions in competitive or conflict-based contexts.

The correct answer is 'Discourage' because 'encourage', meaning to give support or confidence to someone, urging them forward, is directly opposed by 'discourage', meaning to dishearten someone or deter them from an action, formed by adding the negative prefix 'dis-' to the base word. The distractor options, 'inspire', 'support', and 'motivate', are all synonyms of 'encourage' rather than its antonym, this encourage-discourage pairing being fundamental vocabulary in educational and motivational contexts.

The correct answer is 'Captivity' because 'freedom', meaning the state of being free from restriction or imprisonment, is directly opposed by 'captivity', meaning the state of being confined or imprisoned. The distractor options, 'liberty', 'autonomy', and 'independence', are all synonyms of 'freedom' rather than its antonym, this freedom-captivity pairing being especially relevant vocabulary in historical, political, and wildlife-related contexts describing states of confinement versus liberty.

The correct answer is 'Loss' because 'gain', meaning an increase in wealth, benefit, or advantage, is directly opposed by 'loss', meaning a decrease or deprivation of something valuable. The distractor options, 'advantage', 'profit', and 'benefit', are all synonyms of 'gain' rather than its antonym, this gain-loss pairing being fundamental vocabulary in financial, competitive, and general life-outcome contexts describing what is acquired versus what is forfeited.

The correct answer is 'Light' because 'heavy', describing something of great weight, is directly opposed by 'light', describing something of little weight. The distractor options, 'weighty', 'bulky', and 'massive', are all synonyms of 'heavy' rather than its antonym, this heavy-light pairing being fundamental physical-description vocabulary, and also worth noting that 'light' carries an entirely separate meaning related to illumination, making context essential in interpreting the word correctly.

The correct answer is 'Export' because 'import', meaning to bring goods into a country from abroad, is directly opposed by 'export', meaning to send goods out of a country to be sold elsewhere. The distractor options, 'acquire', 'bring in', and 'receive', are all synonyms or closely related to 'import' rather than its antonym, this import-export pairing being fundamental economic vocabulary frequently tested in reading passages about trade, commerce, and international economics.