In each of this question choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase underlined The war against malaria keeps waxing

Analyze the question: You are asked for the word opposite in meaning to "waxing" in the sentence "The war against malaria keeps waxing."

Explain the concept: To wax means to grow gradually larger, stronger, or more intense. It is the opposite of wane, which means to decrease or grow weaker. The moon is a common example: it waxes (grows fuller) and wanes (shrinks). So "waxing" means increasing or growing, and its antonym is decreasing or diminishing.

Solution:

• Waxing = growing or increasing
• Opposite = decreasing or diminishing

Checking the options:

• A. Decreasing: the opposite of growing. ✔
• B. Increasing: a synonym of waxing, not an antonym. ✘
• C. Wavering: means hesitating or fluctuating. It is not the opposite. ✘
• D. Happening: unrelated in meaning. ✘

Tip: Remember the pair wax and wane. Wax means to grow and wane means to shrink. In "opposite meaning" questions, first work out the meaning of the underlined word, then eliminate any option that is a synonym. Option B is the trap here, because it matches the meaning rather than opposing it.