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.

Good teaching stimulates the interest of students, whereas bad teaching.............it

A. dampens

B. encourage

C. supersedes

D. retracts

Some youths of this generation are often hard-hearted compared to those of past generations who were.................

A. indifferent

B. fastidious

C. proficient

D. compassionate

The doctor does not think the patient will recover; the signs are ominous rather than............

A. encouraging

B. feasible

C. obvious

D. gloomy

The purpose of education is to enhance progress and not to...........it

A. proscribe

B. intercept

C. impede

D. confuse

The teacher gave him high marks and wrote complimentary remarks in the margin, which surprisingly gave him...........feelings.

A. doubtful

B. secret

C. unpleasant

D. serious

Many people find cod liver oil disgusting but soldiers find it...............

A. refreshing

B. medicinal

C. pleasant

D. bitter

The investigator relied solely on conjectures, which were not as reliable as...........

A. facts

B. hearsay

C. figures

D. fabrications

It was obvious that Modou committed the crime,but his friends were still.............

A. unhappy

B. doubtful

C. suspicious

D. confident

The government was blamed for implementing polices that favoured the elite at the expense of the................

A. workers

B. wealthy

C. masses

D. oppressed

His suggestion on how to deal with the thief was invaluable, but the police considered it................

A. useless

B. impossible

C. necessary

D. timely