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Question

Difficulty: MediumAntonym Context Clues

The initial maintenance protocol was praised for being effortless and straightforward; conversely, the updated safety procedure proved exceptionally onerous for the ground crew. In this sentence, the word onerous most nearly means:

  1. A
    simple and manageable
  2. burdensome and demandingAnswer
  3. C
    honorable and distinguished
  4. D
    perilous and hazardous

Answer

burdensome and demanding
The sentence uses the transitional adverb 'conversely' to contrast the new procedure with the earlier protocol described as 'effortless and straightforward.' The opposite of effortless is burdensome and demanding, making that the correct meaning of 'onerous.'

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Locate the contrast transition and the contextual clue.
The word 'conversely' signals a direct contrast with 'effortless and straightforward.'
Contrast transition markers indicate that the target word has a meaning opposite to the phrase in the preceding clause.
2
Infer the opposite meaning and match it with the correct option.
The opposite of 'effortless' is 'burdensome and demanding,' which defines 'onerous.'
Deducing the antonym of the provided clue accurately reveals the definition of the target word.

Key Concept

Using contrast transition clues to deduce the contextual meaning of unfamiliar vocabulary.
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Topics

Antonym Context Clues

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