Choose the option that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word I was skeptical about the story she told me.

Step 1: Analyze the question The underlined word is skeptical. You are asked to pick the option closest in meaning to it.

Step 2: Explain the concept Skeptical (also spelled sceptical) describes a person who doubts or questions whether something is true. A skeptical person does not accept a claim easily without proof.

Step 3: Check each option

• A. doubtful: Having doubt, not sure something is true. This matches skeptical closely.
• B. convinced: Fully persuaded. This is the opposite of skeptical.
• C. ignorant: Lacking knowledge. A skeptical person may know plenty but still doubt the claim, so this does not fit.
• D. confused: Unable to understand. Confusion is different from doubting whether something is true.

Step 4: Answer "I was skeptical about the story she told me" means "I was doubtful about the story she told me." The correct option is A. doubtful.

Exam tip: In synonym questions, first find the opposite of the word. Here convinced is the antonym, so you can eliminate it right away and avoid being tricked. Related words to remember are skeptic (a person who doubts), skepticism (doubt), and cynical (distrusting people's motives).