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Question

Select the most appropriate ANTONYM of the word 'laborious' from given sentence:

Although gardening is a laborious job, but it gives me boundless joy, strenuous happiness and immense satisfaction and I like facile activity.

This question was previously asked in
SSC CGL 2022 Tier-II (Paper 2 JSO) Previous Year Paper (04-Mar-2023)
The correct answer is

facile

Understanding the Word 'Laborious'

The question asks us to find the most appropriate antonym (a word with the opposite meaning) of the word 'laborious' based on its usage in the given sentence. Let's first understand what 'laborious' means.

The word laborious means requiring a lot of time and effort; difficult and involving hard work. Think of a task that makes you feel tired and takes a long time to complete; that task could be described as laborious.

Analyzing the Sentence Context

The sentence provided is: "Although gardening is a laborious job, but it gives me boundless joy, strenuous happiness and immense satisfaction and I like facile activity."

In this sentence, 'laborious job' is contrasted with 'facile activity'. This contrast suggests that 'laborious' and 'facile' might have opposite meanings in this context.

Examining the Options for Antonyms

We need to look at the provided options and determine which one is the best antonym for 'laborious'.

Let's analyze each option:

  • boundless: This means without limit or end. It describes quantity or extent, not the amount of effort required for a task. So, it is not an antonym for 'laborious'.
  • facile: This word can have a few meanings. One common meaning is superficial or simplistic (achieved too easily without proper thought). However, another meaning, especially when describing a task or activity, is easily accomplished or effortless. For example, a facile task is one that is easy to do. This meaning is the opposite of requiring a lot of effort or being difficult.
  • strenuous: This means requiring or using great effort or exertion. This word is actually a synonym for 'laborious', not an antonym. The sentence even uses 'strenuous happiness', implying intense or vigorous happiness, similar to the effort implied by laborious.
  • immense: This means extremely large or great. Like 'boundless', it describes size or scale, not the effort level of a task. So, it is not an antonym for 'laborious'.

Identifying the Antonym

Based on the analysis of the options and the context in the sentence where 'laborious job' is contrasted with 'facile activity', the word 'facile', in the sense of being easy or effortless, is the clear antonym for 'laborious'. A laborious job requires great effort, while a facile activity requires little effort.

Option Comparison

Word Meaning Antonym of Laborious?
Laborious Requiring much effort; difficult N/A (The word itself)
Boundless Without limits No
Facile Easily accomplished; effortless Yes (in the context of tasks)
Strenuous Requiring great effort No (It's a synonym)
Immense Extremely large No

Therefore, the most appropriate antonym of 'laborious' from the given options, especially considering the sentence structure and contrast presented, is 'facile'.

Revision Table: Key Vocabulary

Word Meaning Antonym Synonym
Laborious Requiring significant effort or difficulty Facile, effortless, easy Strenuous, arduous, difficult, hard
Facile Easily accomplished; effortless; (also) superficial Laborious, difficult, arduous Effortless, easy, simple
Strenuous Requiring great effort or exertion Effortless, easy, simple Laborious, arduous, difficult, hard
Boundless Unlimited; immense Limited, restricted Infinite, vast, immense
Immense Extremely large or great Tiny, small, minute Huge, vast, colossal, boundless

Additional Information on Antonyms and Synonyms

Understanding antonyms and synonyms is crucial for building vocabulary and comprehending text. Antonyms are words that have opposite meanings, while synonyms are words that have similar meanings. The context in which a word is used is very important when determining its precise meaning and finding appropriate antonyms or synonyms, especially for words like 'facile' which have multiple meanings.

In this case, the sentence explicitly sets up 'laborious job' against 'facile activity', guiding us to select the meaning of 'facile' that stands in opposition to 'laborious'.

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