Scientists are concerned whether the oceans and land biosphere will take up as much carbon in the future as they presently do.
- (a)worried
- (b)indifferent
- (c)curious
- (d)puzzled
Answer
B
Why
Correct — B, indifferent. Here 'concerned' means worried or anxious about an outcome, so its opposite is 'indifferent', meaning unconcerned or having no interest.
Why the others are wrong
- (a)worried — 'Worried' is a direct synonym of 'concerned' in this sense, so it is the opposite of what is asked.
- (c)curious — 'Curious' means eager to know; interest is not the opposite of concern, so it does not fit.
- (d)puzzled — 'Puzzled' means confused or unable to understand — a different state, not the antonym of 'concerned'.
Concept
An antonym item — 'concerned' means worried, and its opposite is 'indifferent' (not caring); 'worried' is the synonym trap.
Related PYQs
No directly related past PYQ was found.
Practice
- practice — not a real PYQ
Select the word opposite in meaning to 'anxious'.
- (a)nervous
- (b)unbothered
- (c)tense
- (d)fretful
Answer(b) unbothered — 'anxious' means uneasy and worried, so its opposite is 'unbothered'.
- practice — not a real PYQ
Select the word opposite in meaning to 'caring'.
- (a)attentive
- (b)apathetic
- (c)tender
- (d)devoted
Answer(b) apathetic — 'caring' means showing concern, so its opposite is 'apathetic' (unconcerned).