Our principal took exception to the ignoble role the teacher played in the matter

Analyze the question: The italicised word is not shown in the text, but the only word that makes sense as the target is "ignoble", since "took exception to" is a phrase meaning "objected to". We need the opposite of the word in italics. Taking "ignoble" as the italicised word, we look for its antonym.

Explain the concept:

• Ignoble means dishonourable, shameful, or lacking noble qualities (from Latin in- "not" + nobilis "noble").
• So its opposite (antonym) is something noble, honourable, or worthy.

Check the options:

• A. embarrassing: not an opposite; it is unrelated to nobility.
• B. honourable: means noble, respected, worthy. This is the direct opposite of ignoble.
• C. extraordinary: means remarkable, which is not the opposite.
• D. dishonourable: this is a synonym of ignoble, not the opposite. This is the trap option.

Answer: B. honourable

Note: If the italicised part was actually "took exception to" (meaning "objected to"), none of the options would be a sensible opposite. So "ignoble" is clearly the intended word.

Exam tip: Read the instruction carefully. Is it asking for the opposite or the closest meaning? Examiners often include the synonym (here, "dishonourable") as a distractor. Also, remember that the prefix ig-/in-/im- often means "not", so ignoble = "not noble", and the opposite is simply "noble/honourable".