Question

Difficulty: MediumAntonyms and Words Opposite in Meaning

Complete the sentence below by supplying a word that is opposite in meaning to the capitalized word. Which word best completes the blank?

Answer:While the manager's initial explanations were NEBULOUS, his final report was so 【clear】 that none of the board members had any remaining doubts.

Answer

The word that best completes the blank is 'clear' (or synonyms of clarity such as 'lucid', 'explicit', or 'distinct'), which is directly opposite in meaning to 'NEBULOUS'.
The target word 'NEBULOUS' describes something vague, hazy, or unclear. The introductory word 'While' signals a contrast between the initial explanations and the final report. Therefore, an antonym expressing clarity or explicit detail—such as 'clear', 'lucid', or 'explicit'—is required to complete the sentence logically.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine the contextual meaning of the capitalized target word 'NEBULOUS'.
'NEBULOUS' means vague, indistinct, ill-defined, or cloudy in thought.
Understanding the exact contextual meaning of the target word is essential before identifying its opposite.
2
Analyze the sentence structure for logical indicators of contrast.
The subordinating conjunction 'While' sets up a direct opposition between the initial explanations and the final report.
The sentence requires a word in the blank that provides a sharp contrast to vagueness.
3
Identify an antonym that restores logical coherence to the sentence.
Words such as 'clear', 'lucid', 'explicit', or 'distinct' represent the exact opposite of vagueness and fit the sentence context perfectly.
Inserting a word denoting clarity fulfills the requirement for an antonym and completes the contrasting thought.

Key Concept

Antonyms and Words Opposite in Meaning
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