WAEC 2016 English Language · Question 30

Rather than being sensitive to the plight of the workers, the manager remained …

Question

In each of the following sentence, there is one underlined word and one gap. from the list of words lettered A to D, choose the one that is most nearly opposite in meaning in the underlined word and that will at the same time, correctly fill the gap in the sentence. Rather than being sensitive to the plight of the workers, the manager remained......

In the original paper part of this question is underlined. The underline isn't shown here: see the explanation below.

A.Disdainful
B.Curious
C.Negligent
D.Indifferent

Answer: D. Indifferent

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Analyze the question

The sentence is "Rather than being sensitive to the plight of the workers, the manager remained ......"

The underlined word is sensitive, though the formatting was lost in the question. We need a word that:

Is nearly opposite in meaning to "sensitive" (caring, responsive to others' feelings), and
Fits the gap grammatically and logically.

Concept

"Sensitive to someone's plight" means being aware of and concerned about their suffering. The opposite is showing no concern, which is being unmoved or indifferent.

Checking each option

A. Disdainful means showing contempt or scorn. It is negative, but it is not the direct opposite of sensitive. It adds the idea of looking down on people, which the sentence doesn't require.
B. Curious means eager to know. It has no link to sensitivity or its opposite.
C. Negligent means failing to take proper care of duties. It describes carelessness in work, not a lack of emotional response to others' suffering.
D. Indifferent means having no interest or concern. It is the closest opposite of "sensitive to the plight," and "remained indifferent" is a natural phrase.

Answer

The manager remained indifferent to the workers' plight.

Exam tip

In opposite-meaning questions, test the core idea of the word. "Sensitive to" means caring, so look for "not caring." Be careful with near-fits like disdainful, which is stronger and more specific than the sentence needs. Also, "remained + indifferent" is a common collocation, which helps confirm the fit.

AI can make mistakes. Report anything that looks wrong.