The boy was reluctant to carry out the order of his senior

Step 1: Analyze the question The underlined word is reluctant. We need the option closest in meaning to it in the sentence: "The boy was reluctant to carry out the order of his senior."

Step 2: Explain the concept Reluctant means hesitant or not willing to do something, often because you don't want to do it. It describes an attitude of the mind, not speed or strength of will.

Step 3: Test each option

• A. adamant: means firmly refusing to change one's mind. It is stronger than reluctant. An adamant person flatly refuses, while a reluctant person hesitates or does it grudgingly.
• B. slow: describes speed, not willingness. A person can be quick but still reluctant.
• C. sluggish: means lacking energy or being slow-moving. It describes physical or mental activity level, not attitude.
• D. unwilling: means not ready or not wanting to do something. This is the direct synonym of reluctant.

Step 4: Answer The correct option is D. unwilling.

Step 5: Exam tip Always match the attitude or feeling of the word. "Reluctant" is about willingness, so look for "unwilling" or "hesitant". Watch out for distractors like adamant, which sounds similar in strength but means "stubborn". In synonym questions, substitute each option into the sentence: "The boy was unwilling to carry out the order of his senior" reads naturally and keeps the meaning.