Finding the Antonym of 'Excitable'
The question asks for the word that means the opposite of the underlined word 'excitable'. The sentence is: "The young are easily excitable when presented with strong emotional triggers."
Understanding 'Excitable'
The word 'excitable' means easily aroused or stirred emotionally; tending to become very excited or upset.
Analyzing the Options
Let's examine the meaning of each option to find the antonym of 'excitable':
- Agitated: Feeling or appearing troubled, nervous, or restless. This is similar to being excited or upset, not the opposite.
- Aggrieved: Feeling or expressing a sense of injustice or wrong; distressed or wronged. This relates to a specific type of negative emotion, not the general state of being easily excited or calm.
- Alarmed: Feeling fear or anxiety; frightened. This is a specific emotional response, often negative, and not the opposite of being excitable.
- Composed: Having one's feelings and expression under control; calm. This means not easily excited or upset.
Identifying the Opposite Meaning
The word 'composed' directly contrasts with 'excitable'. Someone who is composed is calm and not easily stirred emotionally, whereas someone excitable is easily stirred.
Therefore, the word opposite in meaning to 'excitable' is 'composed'.