Correct Answer:
B. Modern
The word ANCIENT refers to something belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence, or something that is very old. For instance, ancient civilizations existed thousands of years ago, and an ancient artifact has been around for a long time. To find its antonym, we need a word that signifies the present time or a recent period. The correct answer, Modern, precisely conveys this opposite meaning. Modern refers to something relating to the present or recent times, characterized by newness and contemporary trends. Let's consider the other options:
- Old is a synonym for ancient, both describing something that has existed for a long time.
- Historic refers to something famous or important in history, which is related to the past but not a direct antonym for 'ancient' in the sense of 'new'.
- Primitive describes something relating to an early stage in the evolutionary or historical development of something, often implying simplicity or lack of advancement, which is closer to 'ancient' than its opposite.
Therefore, Modern is the most accurate and direct antonym for ANCIENT, representing the contrast between the distant past and the present era.