WAECEnglish LanguageLexis & Structure2022

The opposite of 'arrogant' is:

AProud
BHumbleCORRECT
CConfident
DBold
AI
Toaster Teacher
Why the answer is B, and why the others tempt you.
**The reasoning** The word "arrogant" means having an exaggerated sense of your own importance — looking down on others, acting superior. The *opposite* must mean the reverse: recognizing you're not above anyone, being modest about your abilities. **Humble** means exactly that — modest, not boastful, willing to learn. It's the direct antonym. When someone is humble, they don't think they're better than others, which is the complete opposite of arrogance. **Why the wrong options tempt you** - **Proud** and **Confident** sound positive, and arrogance *seems* negative, so you might think "pick something positive." But proud/confident people can *still* be arrogant! These words overlap with arrogance. - **Bold** just means brave or daring — it has nothing to do with how you view yourself versus others. The trap: confusing "opposite of a bad trait" with "any good trait." Opposites are about *meaning*, not just positive vs. negative. **Quick takeaway** Arrogant = "I'm better than you"; Humble = "I'm no better than anyone" — they're *exact* opposites in meaning, not just different in tone.
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