choose the option nearly opposite in meaning to the word(s) underlined The annual festival attracts dignitaries from both home and abroad.

Analyze the question: The underlined word is "dignitaries," and you need the word that is nearly opposite in meaning (an antonym).

Explain the concept: A dignitary is a person of high rank, importance, or status, such as a king, governor, or ambassador. The opposite is someone with no importance or status.

Solution: Check each option against "dignitaries":

• A. spectators: These are onlookers or viewers. They are not necessarily important or unimportant, so this is not an opposite.
• B. celebrities: These are famous people, so the meaning is close to "dignitaries." This is a synonym, not an antonym.
• C. chieftains: These are leaders or heads of clans. They hold high rank, so this is also similar in meaning.
• D. nonentities: These are people of no importance or significance. This is the direct opposite of people of high standing.

Answer: The correct option is D. nonentities.

Tip: In antonym questions, first decide the core meaning of the word (here, "important person"). Then eliminate any options that are synonyms or only loosely related. Also remember that the prefix "non-" often signals a negative, so nonentity means "not an entity of any importance."