Question

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

• A. Tolerant
• B. Pessimistic
• C. Painful
• D. Ambitious

Hint:

To identify antonyms for personality traits:
- Define the trait: "QUERULOUS" means complaining and irritable.
- Find a trait that opposes it: "tolerant" means patient and accepting.
- Eliminate unrelated words: "painful" (sensation) and "ambitious" (goals) don’t fit.
- Practice with similar words: "irritable" vs. "calm," "grumpy" vs. "cheerful."

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

To determine the word that is nearest to the opposite in meaning to the key word "QUERULOUS," we need to understand the meaning of "querulous" and compare it with the given options.
This question tests your vocabulary and ability to identify antonyms.
Step 1: Understand the Meaning of "QUERULOUS"
The word "QUERULOUS" means complaining or whining in a petulant or irritable manner (e.g., "The querulous child kept whining about the long trip.").
It describes someone who is habitually grumbling, fretful, or discontented, often in a way that annoys others.
To find the opposite, we need a word that means accepting, patient, or not complaining.
Step 2: Analyze Option A - "Tolerant"
Option A is "Tolerant," which means showing patience, acceptance, or willingness to endure something without complaint (e.g., "She was tolerant of the delays and didn’t complain.").
A "tolerant" person is the opposite of "querulous" because they are patient and understanding, rather than irritable and complaining.
For example, while a "querulous" person might constantly grumble about a situation, a "tolerant" person would accept it calmly.
Option A seems to be the correct choice, but let’s check the others to confirm.
Step 3: Analyze Option B - "Pessimistic"
Option B is "Pessimistic," which means having a negative outlook or expecting the worst outcome (e.g., "He was pessimistic about the project’s success.").
While a "querulous" person might complain due to dissatisfaction, "pessimistic" focuses on a mindset of negativity, not necessarily the act of complaining.
A pessimistic person might not complain—they might just feel hopeless. Conversely, a querulous person might complain without being pessimistic (e.g., they might just be irritable).
"Pessimistic" is not a direct opposite of "querulous," as it doesn’t address the behavior of complaining.
Therefore, option B is incorrect.
Step 4: Analyze Option C - "Painful"
Option C is "Painful," which means causing physical or emotional pain (e.g., "The injury was painful.").
"Painful" describes a sensation or experience, not a personality trait or behavior.
"Querulous" is about a person’s tendency to complain, while "painful" is unrelated to complaining or tolerance.
A situation might be painful, but that doesn’t make it the opposite of querulousness.
Therefore, option C is incorrect.
Step 5: Analyze Option D - "Ambitious"
Option D is "Ambitious," which means having a strong desire to achieve goals or succeed (e.g., "She is ambitious and works hard to achieve her dreams.").
"Ambitious" describes someone driven and goal-oriented, but it doesn’t directly relate to complaining or patience.
An ambitious person might complain (be querulous) or might not—it’s not inherent to ambition.
"Ambitious" is not the opposite of "querulous," as it addresses a different trait.
Therefore, option D is incorrect.
Step 6: Confirm the Correct Answer
Let’s review:
- "Tolerant" (A) means patient and accepting, directly opposing the complaining nature of "querulous."
- "Pessimistic" (B) is about negativity, not the act of complaining, so it’s not the opposite.
- "Painful" (C) is about pain, not behavior or personality, so it’s unrelated.
- "Ambitious" (D) is about drive and goals, not tolerance or complaining.
Option A, "Tolerant," is indeed the word nearest to the opposite of "querulous," as it describes someone who does not complain and is patient, contrasting with the irritable, whining nature of "querulous."
Step 7: Why the Other Options Are Incorrect - A Broader Perspective
- Option B ("Pessimistic"): Pessimism is a mindset, not a behavior, and doesn’t directly oppose complaining.
- Option C ("Painful"): This word describes a feeling, not a trait, and is irrelevant to "querulous."
- Option D ("Ambitious"): Ambition relates to goals, not to the act of complaining or being patient.
Step 8: Key Concepts
- Antonyms for Traits: For personality traits like "querulous" (complaining), the opposite is a trait like "tolerant" (not complaining).
- Behavioral Focus: Focus on the behavior described by the word—here, complaining versus not complaining.
- Vocabulary Expansion: Learn related words: "querulous," "petulant," "whiny" are similar; "tolerant," "patient," "calm" are opposites.