Correct Answer:
B. Rigid
The word FLEXIBLE describes something that is capable of bending easily without breaking, or something that can be easily modified to suit new conditions or situations. For example, a flexible wire can be shaped, and a flexible plan can adapt to changes. To find its antonym, we need a word that signifies the inability to bend or adapt. The correct answer, Rigid, perfectly captures this opposite meaning. Something rigid is stiff and unyielding, unable to bend or be forced out of shape. It also implies an unwillingness to change or compromise. Let's look at the other options:
- Soft refers to a texture that is easy to mold or compress, which is different from flexibility in bending.
- Elastic is a synonym for flexible, describing something that can stretch and return to its original shape.
- Loose implies not firmly fixed or contained, which is unrelated to the ability to bend.
Therefore, Rigid is the most appropriate antonym for FLEXIBLE, representing the complete opposite in terms of physical pliability and adaptability.