Choose the option opposite in meaning to 'meticulous': She was very meticulous in her work.

**The reasoning** "Meticulous" means extremely careful and precise, paying close attention to every tiny detail. Think of someone who triple-checks their work, dots every 'i' and crosses every 't'. The *opposite* would be someone who doesn't care about details at all — that's **careless**. This is an **antonym question** (opposite meaning). You need to find the word that means the exact reverse of meticulous. **Why the wrong options tempt you** - **Careful (A)** and **Thorough (D)** are actually *synonyms* (similar meanings) of meticulous, not opposites. They're there to catch you if you're rushing and pick a familiar word instead of thinking about what "opposite" means. - **Patient (C)** might seem related because meticulous people often take their time, but patience is about enduring waiting, not about attention to detail. It's neither a synonym nor an antonym. **Quick takeaway** Meticulous = super careful with details; its opposite = careless (doesn't care about details). For antonym questions, always think: "What word means the complete reverse?" not just "What sounds similar?"