Chibuzor gave a curt nod and walked away

Analyze the question: You are asked to find the word opposite in meaning to "curt" in the sentence "Chibuzor gave a curt nod and walked away."

Explain the concept: "Curt" means abrupt, brief, and rather rude, as when someone responds in a short, unfriendly way. So we need a word that means the reverse: courteous, respectful, or well-mannered.

Solution, step by step:

1. Meaning of "curt": abrupt, short, and discourteous.
2. Check each option: • A. rude: This is a synonym of curt, not an opposite. Eliminate. • B. polite: This means courteous and well-mannered, which is the direct opposite of curt. Keep. • C. shocking: This means surprising or offensive. It has no link to curt in either direction. Eliminate. • D. Gentle: This means soft or mild. It is somewhat opposite to harsh, but it describes temperament rather than manners. It is not as precise a contrast as "polite," because "curt" is specifically about being abrupt and discourteous in how one addresses people. Eliminate.
3. Conclusion: The best opposite of "curt" is polite.

Answer: B. polite

Exam tip: In opposite-meaning questions, first work out the meaning of the underlined word and spot any synonym in the options (here, "rude"), because examiners often include one as a trap. Don't pick it. Then choose the option that most precisely reverses the meaning. A memory trick: CURT = CUT short = rude, so its opposite is polite.