Directions: Read the passage carefully and answer the questions given below…
2023
Directions: Read the passage carefully and answer the questions given below them. Certain words are given in bold to help you to locate them while answering some of the questions.
Americans have a variety of superstitions like walking under a ladder, a black cat crossing your path and the number 13, none of which seem to have a logical reason for being. However, there are no serious taboos attached to them. Individuals may have an array of sensitivities based on their personal beliefs. If you do offend someone inadvertently, a sincere apology will usually go a long way toward making amends. The one sensitivity that almost all Americans have is about slights to their country. Either complaining about the US or expressing an attitude that your culture is superior can cause Americans to take offense. Americans do possess a great deal of cultural arrogance, and think that their way is the only right way. They think that the US is the best place on earth, otherwise why would everybody be trying to get here? Whether you agree or not, remember that you are a guest in the US and it would be rude for a guest to insult his host.
What is the antonym of the word ‘inadvertently’ as given in bold in the passage?
- A.
Intentionally
- B.
Occasionally
- C.
Unwittingly
- D.
Avowedly
Attempted by 1 students.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Concept: An antonym is a word that expresses the opposite meaning of a given word. To find it, first pin down the word’s core sense, then pick the option that expresses the reverse idea — not one that merely restates it or drifts off-topic.
Application: In the passage, ‘inadvertently’ means without meaning to, i.e. by accident. Its opposite is doing something on purpose, with deliberate intent — and among the options, ‘Intentionally’ is exactly that: it directly names deliberate action, so it is the antonym.
Cross-check: Checking each remaining option against the same intent-vs-accident axis confirms none of them fits:
‘unwittingly’ means without realizing — the same idea as inadvertently, so it is a synonym, not an antonym.
‘occasionally’ is about how often something happens, not about intent, so it cannot answer an intent-based antonym.
‘avowedly’ means openly admitted or declared — it describes the openness of a statement, not the deliberateness of an act, so it does not carry the on-purpose sense required.
So only ‘Intentionally’ expresses the deliberate, on-purpose sense that is the opposite of ‘inadvertently’.