NDA (I & II) 2020 General Ability Test · Question 1 of 148

Correct — B, alertly. This section asks for the word opposite in meaning to the underlined 'absently', which means inattentively or with one's mind elsewhere; 'alertly' means watchfully and fully attentive, so it is the true antonym.

• (a)capably — 'Capably' means competently or skilfully; it describes ability, not attentiveness, so it is unrelated to 'absently'.
• (c)agitatedly — 'Agitatedly' means in a nervous, restless way — an emotional state, not the attentive opposite of 'absently'.
• (d)dreamily — 'Dreamily' means in a distracted, faraway manner, which is a near-synonym of 'absently', so it is the trap rather than the opposite.

An antonym item — the underlined 'absently' means inattentively, and its opposite is 'alertly' (attentively).

No directly related past PYQ was found.

• practice — not a real PYQ

  Select the word opposite in meaning to 'attentive'.

  • (a)vigilant
  • (b)distracted
  • (c)careful
  • (d)keen

  Answer(b) distracted — 'attentive' means paying close attention, so its opposite is 'distracted'.

• practice — not a real PYQ

  Select the word opposite in meaning to 'alert'.

  • (a)watchful
  • (b)drowsy
  • (c)ready
  • (d)sharp

  Answer(b) drowsy — 'alert' means wide awake and watchful, so its opposite is 'drowsy' (sleepy, inattentive).