Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow. In a study, the University of Colorado in Denver observed a group of nurses who visited pregnant mothers. After the women gave birth, the nurses made approximately twenty visits before the children turned two years old. When the benefits to the children were studied, the researchers found that the children were emotionally less vulnerable to fear. The children learned languages sooner. They also had higher mental development scores than the control group without the nurses’ support. The benefits to the children because of this simple intervention of the nurses’ support were observed even fifteen years later.
Select the most appropriate ANTONYM of the given word. Unsusceptible
Vulnerable
Understanding Antonyms: Finding the Opposite of Unsusceptible
The question asks us to find the most appropriate antonym for the word 'Unsusceptible' based on the provided passage and options.
First, let's understand what 'Unsusceptible' means. The word 'susceptible' means easily influenced or harmed by something. Adding the prefix 'un-' negates the meaning. Therefore, 'Unsusceptible' means not easily influenced, affected, or harmed by something; resistant to something.
We are looking for the opposite of 'Unsusceptible'. The opposite of being resistant or not easily affected is being easily affected or vulnerable.
Let's examine the given options:
- Vulnerable: This word means exposed to the possibility of being attacked or harmed, either physically or emotionally. It means easily affected or influenced.
- Approximately: This word means close to the actual amount or time; roughly. It is used for estimation.
- Development: This refers to the process of developing or being developed. It relates to growth or progress.
- Intervention: This means the action or process of intervening, usually to improve a situation.
Comparing the meaning of 'Unsusceptible' (resistant, not easily affected) with the options, we see that 'Vulnerable' (easily affected or harmed) is the closest opposite in meaning.
The passage mentions the children were "emotionally less vulnerable to fear" because of the nurses' support. This phrase uses the concept of vulnerability, which is the state of being easily affected. The opposite of being less vulnerable (more resistant) is being more vulnerable (less resistant or susceptible). The antonym of 'Unsusceptible' (resistant) is 'Vulnerable' (easily affected).
Therefore, 'Vulnerable' is the most appropriate antonym for 'Unsusceptible'.
Why Other Options Are Incorrect
- Approximately: This relates to estimation and has no connection to being susceptible or resistant.
- Development: This relates to growth and progress, which is unrelated to the concept of susceptibility.
- Intervention: This refers to stepping in to change a situation and is not related to being susceptible or resistant.
Conclusion on the Antonym of Unsusceptible
Based on the meanings of the words, the antonym of 'Unsusceptible' is 'Vulnerable'. Being unsusceptible means you are resistant or not easily affected, while being vulnerable means you are easily affected or harmed.
| Word | Meaning | Relationship to Unsusceptible |
|---|---|---|
| Unsusceptible | Not easily affected; resistant | Target word |
| Vulnerable | Easily affected; exposed to harm | Opposite meaning (Antonym) |
| Approximately | Roughly; estimation | Unrelated |
| Development | Growth; progress | Unrelated |
| Intervention | Action of intervening | Unrelated |
Revision Table: Key Terms from the Passage
| Term | Context in Passage | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Nurses | Visited pregnant mothers and young children | Provided the intervention being studied |
| Pregnant mothers | Participants receiving visits | Focus of the initial support |
| Children | Received benefits from the support via mothers | Primary subjects whose development was studied |
| Vulnerable | Children less vulnerable to fear | Key outcome measure related to emotional state |
| Languages | Children learned languages sooner | Cognitive benefit observed |
| Mental development scores | Children had higher scores | Measure of cognitive ability |
| Control group | Children without nurse support | Used for comparison of outcomes |
| Intervention | Nurses' support described as simple intervention | The action being tested for its effectiveness |
Additional Information: Antonyms and Synonyms
Understanding antonyms and synonyms is crucial for vocabulary building and comprehension. An antonym is a word opposite in meaning to another word. A synonym is a word that means the same as or is very similar in meaning to another word.
- Antonym Examples:
- Hot <--> Cold
- Happy <--> Sad
- Big <--> Small
- Synonym Examples:
- Happy = Joyful
- Big = Large
- Fast = Quick
Identifying antonyms often helps clarify the meaning of the original word by considering its opposite. In this case, understanding the opposite of 'Unsusceptible' (resistant) as 'Vulnerable' (easily affected) reinforces the meaning of both terms.
Words can have multiple antonyms or synonyms depending on the specific context. For 'Unsusceptible', other potential antonyms could include 'susceptible', 'sensitive', or 'prone'. However, among the given options, 'Vulnerable' is the most fitting antonym.
Important Questions from Reading Comprehension
Why, according to the writer can't people be motivated to use a resource prudently?
1. They feel that others may overuse the resource
2. It is possible to substitute the resource
3. Abundance of the resource availability
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
When do people use resources exhaustively?
The self-interest of people affects the use of renewable resources
People rooted in a locality
Which among the following is closest in meaning with the word 'deplete'?
