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

Though my mother was convinced about the success of the business, her manager remained___________

A. Sceptical

B. serious

C. confused

D. concerned

Judgement should always be in favour of the innocent and not the_________

A. guilty

B. accused

C. weak

D. elderly

Layi is quite reliable but his sister is_________

A. unswerving

B. untrustworthy

C. deceptive

D. pretentious

The gullible and not the_______usually fall prey to tricksters.

A. unfriendly

B. carefree

C. brave

D. discerning

Tom's humility contrasts with his brother's__________

A. haughtiness

B. stubbornness

C. gentleness

D. quietness

The life of man appears long but, in reality, it is_________

A. brief

B. quick

C. shortened

D. stunted

In the interest of peace, it is better to dialogue than to be_________

A. controversial

B. rational

C. confrontational

D. forceful

All the wealth amassed by a greedy father is often_________by undisciplined children.

A. destroyed

B. scattered

C. squandered

D. ruined

Many people find cod liver oil disgusting but soldiers find it_________

A. refreshing

B. medicinal

C. pleasant

D. bitter

The arrival of the riot police at our campus_______the tension rather than mitigate it.

A. lengthened

B. heightened

C. prolonged

D. created