In the following sentence, there is one underlined word and one gap. From the list of words lettered A to D…

Analyze the question

This is an antonym-and-fill-the-gap question. The word we must find has to do two jobs:

1. It must be most nearly opposite in meaning to the underlined word, which is "attractive" (the underlined word is not marked in the text, but "attractive" is clearly the one intended).
2. It must fit the sentence: "Giraffes are attractive animals but snakes are _."

Explain the concept

An antonym is a word with the opposite meaning. The word "but" signals contrast, so the gap needs a word that contrasts with "attractive" (pleasing, appealing, good-looking).

Solution

Check each option against "attractive":

• A. repulsive means causing strong disgust or aversion. This is the direct opposite of attractive, since attractive draws you in and repulsive pushes you away.
• B. ugly means not pleasing to look at. It is an opposite in appearance, but it is weaker, and it is only about looks. "Attractive" can mean more than physical beauty, since it also means appealing or drawing interest.
• C. poisonous is about danger, not appearance or appeal, so it is not an antonym.
• D. offensive means causing displeasure or annoyance. It is related, but it is not the direct opposite of "attractive."

"Repulsive" is the strongest and most precise opposite, because attract and repulse are true opposites (like magnetic attraction and repulsion). "Ugly" is a plausible distractor, but the best answer is repulsive.

Answer: A. repulsive

Tip: In antonym questions, look for the word that is opposite in both meaning and degree. Attract/repel and attractive/repulsive share the same root idea, which makes "repulsive" the best pair. When two options look close, choose the one that is the more exact opposite.