Correct Answer:
A. Stop
The correct word pair is A: Stop. The word 'cease' means to bring or come to an end; to stop. It implies a discontinuation of an action or state.
- A: Stop is the direct synonym for 'cease'. For example, 'The rain ceased' means 'The rain stopped'.
- B: Start is an antonym of 'cease'. To start means to begin or initiate something.
- C: Continue is also an antonym. To continue means to persist in an activity or state without interruption.
- D: Proceed means to begin or continue a course of action, which is contrary to ceasing.
Understanding synonyms and antonyms is crucial for vocabulary building and comprehension. 'Cease' is a formal way of saying 'stop', often used in contexts like 'ceasefire' or 'cease and desist'.