In each of the following sentences, there is one word underlined and one gap. From the list of words lettered A - D, choose the word that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the underlined word and that will, at the same time, correctly fill the gap in the sentences.

At first we found life in the town very exciting but soon it became rather..............

A. tiring

B. disturbing

C. burdensome

D. boring

When we were busy discussing weighty matters, James introduced a .........issue.

A. light

B. meaningless

C. common

D. trivial

By working hard, Benjamin outshone his elder brother instead of being...............

A. overshadowed

B. defeated

C. demoted

D. submerged

The delegates found it better to resort to consultation rather than...............

A. conflict

B. confrontation

C. reconcilation

D. consent

This house which was sealed off years ago has now been................

A. re-opened

B. rebuilt

C. re-roofed

D. restored

The government has decided that,from next year military service will no longer be compulsory: it will be........................

A. free

B. optional

C. open

D. conditional

Co-operating with teachers promotes learning, it does not help to be........................

A. destructive

B. confrontational

C. defensive

D. irrational

Only two months after the honour was conferred on the Minister, his dishonesty made the Head of State ...................it.

A. recall

B. reverse

C. revoke

D. reclaim

Despite all my attempts to refute the charges against me, my sister tried to............them

A. defend

B. prove

C. investigate

D. maintain

The government's efforts to improve the economy of the country rather...............it

A. destroyed

B. spoilt

C. complicated

D. worsened