Understanding the Question: Finding the Antonym of Strange

The question asks us to find the most appropriate antonym of the word ‘STRANGE’ from the given options. An antonym is a word that has the opposite meaning of another word.

First, let's understand the meaning of the word ‘STRANGE’.

• STRANGE: unusual, unfamiliar, surprising, difficult to understand or explain. It can also mean not known or seen before, or slightly odd or eccentric.

So, we are looking for a word that means the opposite of unusual, unfamiliar, or odd. We are looking for a word that means ordinary, familiar, or typical.

Analysing the Options for the Antonym of Strange

Let's examine the meaning of each option provided and see which one is the best antonym for ‘STRANGE’.

The sentence provided is: "The intriguing journal took a back place once more to the more mundane events at the Ouray inn." We will look at the options based on their general meaning, although the sentence provides context for some words.

• Option 1: Events

The word ‘Events’ refers to occurrences or happenings. This word is a noun and describes things that happen. It does not have an opposite meaning to ‘STRANGE’.

• Option 2: Intriguing

The word ‘Intriguing’ means arousing curiosity or interest; fascinating. Something intriguing might be unusual or strange, but ‘intriguing’ itself is closer in meaning to ‘interesting’ than an opposite of ‘STRANGE’. In the sentence, the journal is described as intriguing, contrasting with the mundane events.

• Option 3: Mundane

The word ‘Mundane’ means ordinary, commonplace, routine, or dull. It refers to things that are not exciting or special. Let’s compare its meaning to ‘STRANGE’:

• STRANGE: unusual, unfamiliar, odd.
• MUNDANE: ordinary, commonplace, routine.

These two meanings are clearly opposite. If something is strange, it is unusual; if something is mundane, it is ordinary. Therefore, ‘Mundane’ is an antonym of ‘STRANGE’.

In the sentence, ‘mundane events’ are contrasted with the ‘intriguing journal’. This usage of ‘mundane’ fits its meaning of ordinary or routine.

• Option 4: Place

The word ‘Place’ refers to a location or position. It is a noun and has no opposite meaning related to the adjective ‘STRANGE’.

Detailed Comparison: Strange vs. Mundane

To further clarify why ‘Mundane’ is the correct antonym, let's look at a simple comparison:

As the table shows, the core meanings of ‘STRANGE’ (unusual/odd) and ‘Mundane’ (ordinary/commonplace) are directly opposed. Therefore, ‘Mundane’ serves as an appropriate antonym for ‘STRANGE’.

Conclusion: Identifying the Correct Antonym

Based on the analysis of the meanings of the word ‘STRANGE’ and the given options, ‘Mundane’ is the word that has the opposite meaning of ‘STRANGE’.

Revision Table: Vocabulary - Strange and Antonyms

Additional Information: Understanding Antonyms

Antonyms are words with opposite meanings. They are important for understanding vocabulary and expressing contrasting ideas. There are different types of antonyms:

• Gradable Antonyms: These are words that represent concepts on a scale. For example, 'hot' and 'cold' are gradable antonyms because things can be hotter or colder. Other examples include 'big'/'small', 'fast'/'slow'.
• Complementary Antonyms: These are word pairs where the meaning of one is the opposite of the other, and they represent an either/or relationship. If something is not one, it must be the other. For example, 'alive'/'dead', 'on'/'off'.
• Relational Antonyms: These are word pairs that describe a relationship where one term cannot exist without the other. For example, 'teacher'/'student', 'buy'/'sell', 'husband'/'wife'.

Identifying antonyms helps improve reading comprehension and writing skills by allowing for more precise and varied language use. In this case, 'STRANGE' and 'MUNDANE' function as gradable antonyms, as something can be more or less strange or mundane.