Finding the Antonym of Diligent

The question asks us to select the most appropriate antonym for the underlined word, which is "diligent". An antonym is a word that has the opposite meaning of another word.

Understanding the Meaning of 'Diligent'

The word diligent means having or showing care and conscientiousness in one's work or duties. It describes someone who is hard-working, persistent, attentive, and puts effort into tasks. The sentence provided, "A diligent individual possesses the quality to win every difficulty," highlights this positive trait of perseverance and hard work.

Analyzing the Options for the Antonym

Let's examine each option provided to determine which one is the most appropriate antonym for "diligent":

• Moderate: This word means not extreme or excessive; average in amount, intensity, or degree. It doesn't directly relate to the level of effort or activity, so it's not a clear opposite of diligent.
• Inactive: This word means not active or engaged; idle. Someone who is inactive is not putting in effort or working hard, which is the opposite of being diligent.
• Earnest: This word means showing sincere and intense conviction; serious. While a diligent person is often earnest about their work, "earnest" is more about attitude and sincerity than the level of activity or effort. It is closer to a synonym or a related positive trait.
• Bustling: This word means full of activity. A bustling place is busy and lively. Someone who is diligent might be described as bustling, especially if they are working quickly and efficiently. This is closer to a synonym than an antonym.

Selecting the Most Appropriate Antonym

Comparing the meanings, "Inactive" directly contrasts with the core meaning of "diligent," which implies being active, engaged, and hard-working. An inactive person avoids activity and effort, whereas a diligent person is characterized by them.

Therefore, Inactive is the most appropriate antonym for "diligent".

Revision Table: Key Vocabulary Concepts

Additional Information: Expanding Vocabulary and Antonyms

Understanding antonyms is a crucial part of expanding your English vocabulary. Knowing the opposite meaning of a word helps you grasp its full scope and usage. When learning a new word like "diligent," it's often helpful to learn its synonyms (like hardworking, industrious, conscientious) and antonyms (like inactive, idle, lazy) simultaneously. This builds stronger connections in your memory and improves your ability to use words accurately in different contexts.

Here are a few more examples of antonym pairs:

• Happy <—> Sad
• Fast <—> Slow
• Big <—> Small
• Brave <—> Cowardly
• Generous <—> Stingy

Practicing identifying antonyms helps improve reading comprehension and writing skills by allowing for more precise word choice.