Question

Choose the word/phrase which is opposite in meaning to the italicised word/phrase in the sentence.
He is a man of mellow temper.
a) happy
b) irritable
c) irrational
d) fickle

Answer 1

Hint: The word ‘mellow’ refers to ‘(of a person's character) tempered by maturity or experience’. It is used as an adjective in the given sentence, and it qualifies the noun ‘temper’.

Complete answer:
The word in the given sentence is used in a specific context. This means that the word that is italicized is an adjective that describes the noun of ‘description’. So, the sentence is trying to convey the fact that the man being mentioned in the sentence is a man who is a very calm and collected person and doesn’t usually get angry.

Now, we know what we are looking for. Let’s go through the options one by one-
a) happy - The word ‘happy’ refers to ‘feeling or showing pleasure or contentment’. This word is different in meaning to the given word at all. This is not the antonym of ‘mellow’. This is not the required answer. So, this is an incorrect option.
b) irritable - The word ‘irritable’ refers to ‘having or showing a tendency to be easily annoyed'. This word is opposite in meaning to the given word at all. This is the antonym of ‘mellow’. This is the required answer. So, this is the correct option.
c) irrational - The word ‘irrational’ refers to ‘not logical or reasonable'. This word is different in meaning to the given word at all. This is not the antonym of ‘mellow’. This is not the required answer. So, this is an incorrect option.
d) fickle - The word ‘fickle’ refers to ‘changing frequently, especially as regards one's loyalties or affections'. This word is different in meaning to the given word at all. This is not the antonym of ‘mellow’. This is not the required answer. So, this is an incorrect option.

Note:
 Try to understand the meaning of the word, as accurately as possible, with the help of the sentence. Then, go through the options one by one and choose the word opposite in meaning to the given word, i.e. an antonym.