to D below each of the following sentences, choose the word or group of words that is most nearly opposite in…

Step 1: Analyze the question The sentence sets up a contrast with "whereas": the law on armed robbery is stringent, while the law on smoking in public places is the opposite. We need the word that is most nearly opposite in meaning to "stringent" (the underlined word) and that fits the gap.

Step 2: Understand the concept

• Stringent means strict, severe, and rigorously enforced.
• The opposite of stringent is lax, meaning loose, not strict, or poorly enforced.

Step 3: Test each option

• A. accurate means correct or exact. It has nothing to do with strictness.
• B. complex means complicated. A law can be complex without being strict, so it is not an opposite.
• C. lax means slack or not strict. It is the direct antonym of "stringent" and fits the contrast: the law against armed robbery is stringent whereas that against smoking in public places is lax.
• D. easy means not difficult. It is close in feel but not a precise antonym. We describe laws as strict or lax, not usually as "easy".

Step 4: Answer The correct option is C. lax.

Tip: Learn antonym pairs for exams: stringent ↔ lax, strict ↔ lenient, rigid ↔ flexible. When you see "whereas" or "but" in a sentence, expect a contrast, so look for the opposite of the key word. Also check that the word fits the context, not just the dictionary meaning.