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Difficulty: MediumAntonyms and Words Opposite in Meaning

In the sentence below, one word is printed in bold capitals. Read the sentence carefully and answer the question that follows.

'Despite the initial hostility of the opposing delegates, the veteran negotiator remained surprisingly TRACTABLE throughout the peace summit.'

Which of the following words is most nearly OPPOSITE in meaning to TRACTABLE as used in the sentence?

  1. A
    compliant
  2. obstinateAnswer
  3. C
    traceable
  4. D
    litigious

Answer

The word most nearly opposite in meaning to tractable is obstinate.
The word 'tractable' means easily controlled, manageable, or yielding. In the context of a negotiation, a tractable person is cooperative and flexible. 'Obstinate' means stubborn and unyielding, making it the exact contextual opposite of 'tractable'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the sentence context to determine the meaning of the target word
In the sentence, 'tractable' describes a negotiator who is easily managed, flexible, and willing to yield during discussions.
Understanding the contextual meaning of the capitalized word is necessary before selecting its antonym.
2
Identify the required semantic opposite
The antonym must describe someone who is stubborn, unyielding, or difficult to control.
JAMB UTME antonym items assess the candidate's ability to identify direct contextual opposites.
3
Evaluate the choices to find the exact contextual antonym
'Obstinate' means stubbornly refusing to change one's opinion or course of action, making it the precise antonym of 'tractable'.
'Obstinate' provides the direct semantic contrast to being tractable.

Key Concept

Identifying contextual antonyms in JAMB UTME Use of English
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Antonyms and Words Opposite in Meaning

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