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Question

Difficulty: MediumAntonym Context Clues

Use the antonym context clue provided in the sentence to identify the appropriate contrasting term. Which word best completes the blank?

Answer:Whereas the incoming field commander was expected to be 【belligerent】 and uncooperative, his conduct during the dispute was remarkably conciliatory.

Answer

belligerent (or accepted synonyms including combative, hostile, antagonistic, confrontational, aggressive)
The conjunction 'Whereas' signals a contrast between what was anticipated and what actually occurred. Because the commander's actual conduct was 'conciliatory' (peaceable and accommodating) and the expectation was also framed as 'uncooperative', the blank must be filled with a word denoting hostility or combativeness, such as 'belligerent'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the contrast marker and the key context clue in the sentence.
The subordinating conjunction 'Whereas' signals an opposition between the expected behavior and the commander's actual behavior, which is described as 'conciliatory'.
Recognizing contrast indicators allows the reader to locate the antonym relationship.
2
Determine the meaning of the clue word and identify its opposite.
'Conciliatory' means seeking peace, accommodating, or striving to overcome distrust. Its opposite, reinforcing 'uncooperative', is 'belligerent' (combative, hostile, or aggressively defiant).
The sentence structure requires an adjective expressing hostility to stand in direct contrast with 'conciliatory'.

Key Concept

Using contrast conjunctions ('whereas') and antonym clues ('conciliatory') to deduce the meaning of an opposing vocabulary word in context.
Estimated Time:45s
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Antonym Context Clues

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