Question

Find out the word which is nearest to the opposite in meaning to the key word given in capitals: CACOPHONY

• A. Discord
• B. Enormous
• C. Melancholy
• D. Harmony

Hint:

To find antonyms:
- Understand the key word’s meaning: "CACOPHONY" means harsh, unpleasant sound.
- Look for a word that means the opposite in the same context: "harmony" means pleasant sound.
- Eliminate unrelated words: "enormous" (size) and "melancholy" (emotion) don’t fit the context of sound.
- Build vocabulary by learning synonyms and antonyms: "cacophony" vs. "harmony," "big" vs. "small."

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

To determine the word that is nearest to the opposite in meaning to the key word "CACOPHONY," we need to understand the meaning of "cacophony" and compare it with the given options.
This question tests your vocabulary skills, specifically your ability to identify antonyms (words with opposite meanings).
Step 1: Understand the Meaning of "CACOPHONY"
The word "CACOPHONY" refers to a harsh, unpleasant mixture of sounds, often described as noise or dissonance.
It is typically used to describe sounds that are jarring, chaotic, or discordant, such as a mix of loud, clashing noises (e.g., "The cacophony of car horns and shouting filled the street.").
To find the opposite, we need a word that means pleasant, harmonious, or agreeable sound.
Step 2: Analyze Option A - "Discord"
Option A is "Discord," which means disagreement or conflict, but in the context of sound, it refers to a lack of harmony, producing an unpleasant or jarring effect.
For example, in music, "discord" describes notes that clash and create an unpleasing sound (e.g., "The discord in the song made it hard to listen to.").
Since "discord" is similar in meaning to "cacophony" (both describe unpleasant, disharmonious sounds), it is not the opposite.
Therefore, option A is incorrect.
Step 3: Analyze Option B - "Enormous"
Option B is "Enormous," which means very large in size, quantity, or extent (e.g., "An enormous elephant stood in the field.").
"Enormous" describes size or magnitude and has no direct relation to sound or the concept of harmony or dissonance.
Since "enormous" does not convey a meaning related to sound, it cannot be the opposite of "cacophony," which is specifically about sound.
Therefore, option B is incorrect.
Step 4: Analyze Option C - "Melancholy"
Option C is "Melancholy," which means a feeling of sadness, gloom, or depression (e.g., "She felt a deep melancholy after the loss.").
While "melancholy" might be associated with certain types of music (e.g., a "melancholy tune"), it primarily describes an emotional state, not the quality of sound itself.
"Cacophony" is about the harshness of sound, not its emotional tone, so "melancholy" does not directly oppose the meaning of "cacophony."
A melancholy sound could still be cacophonous if it’s harsh and discordant, or it could be harmonious if it’s soothing and sad.
Therefore, option C is not the best opposite.
Step 5: Analyze Option D - "Harmony"
Option D is "Harmony," which refers to a pleasing arrangement of parts, often used in the context of sound to describe notes or voices that blend well together (e.g., "The choir sang in perfect harmony.").
In music and sound, "harmony" is the opposite of dissonance or discord—it describes sounds that are pleasant, smooth, and agreeable.
Since "cacophony" means harsh, discordant sound, "harmony" directly opposes it by meaning pleasant, concordant sound.
For example, while a "cacophony of screams" is harsh and chaotic, a "harmony of voices" is soothing and unified.
Option D appears to be the correct choice, as it is the nearest in meaning to the opposite of "cacophony."
Step 6: Re-Evaluate and Confirm
Let’s double-check the options:
- "Discord" (A) is a synonym of "cacophony," not an antonym, as both describe unpleasant sound.
- "Enormous" (B) is unrelated to sound and doesn’t fit the context.
- "Melancholy" (C) is about emotion, not the quality of sound, so it’s not a direct opposite.
- "Harmony" (D) directly contrasts with "cacophony" by describing pleasant, agreeable sound.
Additionally, the question asks for the word "nearest to the opposite," and "harmony" is the most precise antonym for "cacophony" in the context of sound.
Therefore, option D, "Harmony," is the correct answer, despite the provided answer being option A, which seems to be a mistake.
Step 7: Why the Other Options Are Incorrect - A Broader Perspective
- Option A ("Discord"): "Discord" is essentially a synonym for "cacophony," as both describe a lack of harmony in sound.
- Option B ("Enormous"): This word pertains to size, not sound, and is irrelevant to the meaning of "cacophony."
- Option C ("Melancholy"): While it might describe the mood of a sound, it doesn’t address the harmony or dissonance of the sound itself.
Step 8: Key Concepts
- Antonyms: Antonyms are words with opposite meanings. For "cacophony" (harsh sound), the antonym is "harmony" (pleasant sound).
- Context Matters: Ensure the antonym fits the context of the word—in this case, "cacophony" is about sound, so the antonym must also relate to sound.
- Vocabulary Building: Learn related words: "cacophony," "discord," and "dissonance" are similar; "harmony," "melody," and "concord" are opposites.