Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow. Are the 1980s and 1990s the era of colour? According to some people, they are. Now you can buy radios and electric fans in lavender and pink. Restaurants have an emphasis on flowers and colourful plates. Cars are coming out in pink and aqua. Even bathroom fixtures are being made in 'honeydew' and 'blond'. Part of the importance of the colour of an object is that the colour affects the way one feels about it. You want a vacuum cleaner to look light and easy, which is why it may be coloured in pastels and light colours. But gardening equipment and athletic equipment you want to look powerful. You would never find a lawn mower in pink, but red would be fine. Not very long ago, sheets were always white and refrigerators commonly came in colours like 'old gold', 'avocado green' and 'coppertone'. Now those are thought of as old-fashioned; popular colours change because fashion influences everything. In fact, new colours often spring from the fashion industry. It's a lot cheaper to make a blouse or skirt than a sofa. After people get used to seeing new colours on clothing or towels, they are ready to accept those colours in carpeting, refrigerators, or cars. Colour - analysis consultants have been very successful in recent years. People want to choose the most flattering colours for make up and clothing. Some car designers are even saying that people may begin buying cars of the colour that goes with their skin colouring. This sounds too extreme. It's hard to believe that people are that impressionable.
Popular
Understanding the Question
The question asks us to find the most suitable antonym for the word 'Popular' as used in the provided passage. An antonym is a word that means the opposite of another word.
Analyzing the Word 'Popular'
In the passage, 'popular' is used to describe colours that are widely liked or accepted at a certain time. For example, the text mentions:
- "Part of the importance of the colour of an object is that the colour affects the way one feels about it."
- "Popular colours change because fashion influences everything."
- It also contrasts current trends with older colours like 'old gold', 'avocado green', and 'coppertone', stating, "Now those are thought of as old-fashioned".
So, 'popular' here refers to something that is currently in favour, widely used, or liked by many people.
Evaluating the Options
Let's look at each option to see which one best represents the opposite of 'popular' in this context:
- 1. Rejected: While something unpopular might be rejected, 'rejected' implies a deliberate act of refusal. 'Popular' means liked by many, and its opposite would be disliked by many or simply not liked by many, not necessarily actively rejected.
- 2. Unfavourable: This means not approved of or liked. It's closer to the opposite of 'popular', but perhaps not as precise as another option might be, especially considering the passage's context of changing trends.
- 3. Obsolete: This word means no longer produced or used; out of date. The passage directly uses the phrase "thought of as old-fashioned" to describe colours that were once popular but are no longer in vogue. 'Obsolete' captures this idea of being out of date and no longer in common use, which is a direct contrast to being 'popular' or currently in favour.
- 4. Unique: This means being the only one of its kind; unlike anything else. 'Popular' means liked or accepted by many people. These two words are not opposites. Something can be unique and popular, or unique and unpopular.
Determining the Best Antonym
Considering the context provided in the passage, especially the contrast between current trends and colours that are "thought of as old-fashioned," the word 'Obsolete' serves as the most appropriate antonym for 'Popular'. It signifies a state of being out of date and no longer widely used or accepted, directly opposing the idea of being currently favoured or liked by many.
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'?
