Question

moths of the limberlost
by gene stratton-porter (excerpt)
r i
the limberlost is a word with which to conjure; a
rein to revel. the swamp lies in north-eastern
nearly one hundred miles south of the michigan
en west of the ohio. in its day it covered a large
en i arrived; there were miles of unbroken forest,
vided with boats for navigation, streams of
vater, the roads around the edges corduroy, made
and sinking large trees in the muck. then the
wamp had all the lacy exquisite beauty of such
when snow and frost draped, while from may
ober it was practically tropical jungle. from it i
t to scientists flowers and vines not then
l and illustrated in our botanies.
s a piece of forethought to work unceasingly at
for soon commerce attacked the swamp and
usual process of devastation. canadian
en came seeking tall straight timber for ship
d tough heavy trees for beams. grand rapids
and stripped the forest of hard wood for fine
and through my experience with the lumber men
s\ story was written. afterward hoop and stave
select the correct answer.
read paragraph 8.
(b) there is a wide gulf between a naturalist and a nature lover. a naturalist devotes his life to delving into stiff scientific problems concerning
everything in nature from her greatest to her most minute forms. a nature lover works at any occupation and finds recreation in being out of
doors and appreciating the common things of life as they appeal to his senses.
how does the relationship between the words greatest and minute provide a clue to the meaning of minute?
a. greatest is a definition of minute, so minute means the most grand.
b. minute is an example of greatest, so minute describes a good thing.
c. greatest and minute are antonyms, so minute means small or insignificant.
d. minute and greatest are synonyms, so minute means grand or large.
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Explanation:

The phrase "from her greatest to her most minute forms" sets up a contrast between the largest/most significant and smallest/least significant aspects of nature. "Greatest" refers to the largest or most prominent, so "minute" functions as its opposite, meaning small or insignificant. This eliminates the other options which incorrectly claim the words are definitions, examples, or synonyms.

Answer:

C. Greatest and minute are antonyms, so minute means small or insignificant.