Read the following passage carefully and select the correct answer to the…
2021
Read the following passage carefully and select the correct answer to the questions given at the end of the passage.
Ecosystems provide people with a variety of goods and services, such as food, clean water, clean air, flood control, soil stabilization, pollination, climate regulation, spiritual fulfillment and aesthetic enjoyment, to name just a few. Most of these benefits are either irreplaceable or the technology necessary to replace them is prohibitively expensive. For example potable fresh water can be extracted by desalinating sea water, but only at great cost.
The rapidly expanding human population has greatly modified the earth’s ecosystem to meet their increased requirements of some goods and services, particularly food, fresh water, timber, fibre and fuel. These modifications have contributed substantially to human well being and economic development. The benefits have not been equally distributed.
Some people have actually been harmed by these changes. Moreover, short-term increases in some ecosystems’ goods and services have come at the cost of long term degradation of others. For example, efforts to increase the production of food and fibre have decreased the ability of some ecosystems to provide clean water, regulate flooding and support biodiversity.
The antonym of the word “Substantially” used in the passage is
Answer: C. Slightly — ConceptAntonyms express opposing meanings on the same semantic scale. Degree adverbs can be compared by the amount or intensity they convey. A high-degree…
- A.
Extensively
- B.
Largely
- C.
Slightly
- D.
Significantly
Attempted by 2 students.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Concept
Antonyms express opposing meanings on the same semantic scale. Degree adverbs can be compared by the amount or intensity they convey.
A high-degree adverb contrasts with a low-degree adverb; words that express a broad extent or a marked degree remain close in meaning rather than opposite.
Application
In the passage, “contributed substantially” means “contributed to a large or considerable degree.” The required opposite must therefore express only a small degree.
Contrast
“Extensively” refers to a broad scope or extent.
“Largely” means for the most part or to a great extent.
“Slightly” means to a small degree.
“Significantly” means to a meaningful or noticeable degree.
Result
The antonym is “Slightly.”