Question

Choose the word which is closest to the opposite in meaning to the italicized word and fill in the blank.
Ram Lal, through his hard labor converted the_ _ _ _ _ _ land into a fertile one.
A. Unproductive
B. Barren
C. Dry
D. Deserted

Answer 1

Hint:Antonyms are the words that are opposite in meaning to another. The root words for the word ‘antonym’ are the words ‘anti’ meaning ‘against’ or ‘opposite’ and ‘onym’ meaning name. For instance: the antonym of ‘hot’ is ‘cold’.

Complete answer:
The meaning of the word Fertile is producing or capable of producing abundant vegetation or crops. So, as per the question we must find the word which is opposite in meaning to the word Fertile.

Option A) Unproductive – This option is not correct because Unproductive means not producing or able to produce large amounts of goods, crops, or other commodities. The meaning of this word is not the opposite of the given word. Hence, it is an incorrect option.

Option B) Barren – This is the right option because Fertile means producing or capable of producing abundant vegetation or crops. The opposite of fertile is barren, or too poor to produce much or any vegetation. Hence, Option C is correct.

Option C) Dry – This option is not correct because Dry free from moisture or liquid; not wet or moist. The meaning of this word is not the opposite of the given word. Hence, it is an incorrect option.

Option D) Deserted – This option is not correct because Deserted means (of a place) empty of people. The meaning of this word is not the opposite of the given word. Hence, it is an incorrect option.

Hence the answer is option ‘B’.

Note:Antonyms are the words that are opposite to each other i.e. antonyms of Fertile is Barren, and synonyms are the words that are similar in meaning. So, the synonym of Fertile is productive. Thus, Option B is the most appropriate answer as compared to the other options as they do not have the opposite meaning to the given word.