reading -antonym for the word- exacerbated

 TEAS 7 Reading Comprehension Diagnostic Test (45 Questions)

Question 18 of 45

Strategies for Sleeplessness

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Which of the following is an antonym for the word “exacerbated” as used in the first paragraph? Select all that apply.

• Diminished
• Created
• Alleviated
• Aggravated
• Enjoyed

End Quiz

Answer Explanation

Incorrect

Alleviated and Diminished

This answer choice is correct. In the text, we can infer that “exacerbated” means to worsen, as the author describes the pandemic and stress as exacerbating sleep issues. Therefore, alleviating and diminishing, or making better/lessening, is the opposite of the word exacerbate.

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Aggravated

This answer choice is incorrect. In the text, we can infer that “exacerbated” means to worsen, as the author describes the pandemic and stress as exacerbating sleep issues. Therefore, aggravating, or making worse, has the same meaning as the word exacerbate. 

Created

This answer choice is incorrect.  According to the text, sleep issues were not created by the pandemic. In the first paragraph, the author highlights a key data point that explains that 30-50% of Americans already struggle with sleep.

Enjoyed

This answer choice is incorrect.  The antonym of the word enjoyed is disliked, and it does not make sense that the pandemic and stress have caused many to “dislike” sleep issues.