from the list of words lettered A to D, choose the one that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the…

Analyze the question: You need a word that (1) is most nearly opposite in meaning to the underlined word "modest" and (2) fits the gap in the sentence: "The modest young man was rewarded while his ____ brother was punished."

Concept: This is an antonym question with a sentence-context check. "Modest" means humble, not boastful, and not thinking too highly of oneself. Its opposite describes someone who is proud or vain about themselves.

Solution:

• A. intelligent: This describes brainpower, not attitude, so it is not the opposite of modest. A modest person can be intelligent.
• B. handsome: This describes looks and has no connection to modesty.
• C. conceited: This means excessively proud of oneself, which is the direct opposite of modest. It also fits the sentence well, because a conceited brother being punished contrasts naturally with a modest brother being rewarded.
• D. wicked: This means evil. It might explain a punishment, but it is not the opposite of modest. Evil and humble are different qualities.

Answer: The correct option is C. conceited. It is the antonym of "modest" and it fits the gap grammatically and logically.

Tip: For antonym questions with a gap, first find the opposite of the underlined word, then read the full sentence to confirm it makes sense. Other pairs to remember: modest ↔ conceited/boastful/arrogant, humble ↔ proud, generous ↔ stingy.