Answer the following question below and choose the option opposite in meaning to the underlined word or phrase…

Analyze the question

The underlined word is "temporal" in: "He was very much respected, though he had no temporal power." We need the word opposite in meaning to "temporal" as used here.

Explain the concept

"Temporal" has two common meanings:

1. Relating to worldly or secular matters (as opposed to spiritual or religious). Example: "temporal power" vs "spiritual power", as with a king and a bishop.
2. Relating to time, or lasting only for a time.

The sentence says the man was respected though he had no temporal power. This suggests he had influence of another kind, which is the contrast between worldly authority and spiritual authority. So "temporal" here means worldly or secular.

Go through the options

• A. spiritual: the direct opposite of "temporal" in the sense of worldly or secular. ✔
• B. mundane: means ordinary or worldly, so it is a synonym of temporal, not an opposite.
• C. permanent: this opposes temporal only in the "lasting a short time" sense, which does not fit the context of "power" here.
• D. ephemeral: means short-lived, so it is closer to a synonym of temporal in the time sense.

Answer

The word that is opposite in meaning to "temporal" (worldly or secular) is spiritual.

Exam tip

Always check the context before choosing an antonym. "Temporal" is a two-meaning word. When it is paired with "power" or "authority", think of the pair temporal vs spiritual (state vs church). Also be careful: if an option is a synonym (like "mundane"), it is a trap in an "opposite meaning" question.