Question

Choose the word which is closest to the opposite in meaning to the italicised word:
Many reactions take place in the blast furnace simultaneously.
(a)invariably
(b)contemporarily
(c)In unison
(d)momentarily

Answer 1

Hint: We have to find the meaning which is opposite to the meaning of “simultaneously”. Go through the options and recall what they mean. Now choose the one which means opposite or is closest to mean the opposite of the given word.

Complete answer: Antonym is a word opposite in meaning to another. Fast is an antonym of slow. Simultaneously means to happen at the same time. The given sentence means that many reactions take place in the blast surface at the same time. Now let us see which option is opposite to this meaning.
(a)invariably- Invariably means “every time” or “without any variation”. Variation means change. So invariably is the opposite of change, that is, the same thing happens every time. For example, She is invariably late to class. This means every time she comes to class, she is late.
(b)contemporarily- It is the adverb of “contemporary”. Contemporary means to belong to or exist in the same period of time. The 18th-century women wore a hat contemporarily in England.
(c)In unison- This means when something happens all together. The brothers protested against going to the opera in unison. So the brothers, all together and all at once, said that they don’t want to attend the opera.
(d)momentarily- It means for a very short period of time. For example, Her mother was shocked momentarily at her daughter’s rude behaviour.
Thus, the correct answer is option d because simultaneously means “happening at the same time” while momentarily involves a short pause/break. So it is the word closest in meaning to the opposite of the meaning of the word “simultaneously”.

Note: Read the instruction of the question carefully. It says “opposite” of the meaning of the italicised word. Many students mark an answer which is similar to the meaning and thus get a wrong answer.