Question

Choose the word opposite in meaning to the given word.
PAUCITY
a. Surplus
b. Scarcity
c. Presence
d. Richness
e. Want

Answer 1

Hint: Antonyms have the ability to change the gist of the sentence in a heartbeat (they are opposites). They are often useful to change an affirmative sentence to a negative one or vice versa, thereby, changing their meaning as well. Paucity often correlates with any sort of deficit, scarcity and insufficiency of something; can be something tangible or even a quality.

Complete answer:
Now, considering the above options,
- Surplus: Refers to something that is abundant or in excess. This is the perfect antonym for paucity. Eg: Every businessman looks forward to the surplus that they get from their consignments.
- Scarcity: defined as scantiness or deficit in food, products or even natural phenomenon. Eg: There was a sudden scarcity in water with the onset of summer this year.
- Presence: The state where one is present or they are in immediate proximity. Eg: The presence of a mother is always calming.
- Richness: Often used in an ecological context to describe the species of an area; can also refer to being rich. Eg: The species richness is higher in villages than that of cities.
- Want: Refers to a need, desire or wish for something or someone. Eg: She wants to get on with her studies after dropping it several years back.

> Hence, Option a, is the answer closest to the antonym of the paucity, where it describes the excess while paucity refers to the deficit.

Note: Surplus and richness may confuse you, but both are fundamentally different even though they align towards “gain”.