Lauren was often labeled easygoing because she tended to appear mild and … rather than tense and … .
A. sullen - serious
B. relaxed - excitable
C. joyful - intelligent
D. slow - patient
E. likable - humorous
The answer is B. However, I don’t think that “tense” and “excitable” are similar. Can you explain why B is the right answer?
“Excitable” means “easily excited” and can be used to suggest nervousness or the quality of being high strung. It’s definitely a direct contrast with “relaxed.” More importantly, it doesn’t have to be a synonym for “tense”–you’re looking at two pairs of words/qualities: “mild/relaxed” and “tense/excitable,” so “excitable” doesn’t have to be similar to “tense,” it just has to contrast with “relaxed.”
It’s also important for you to stop questioning the test makers. When you write “I don’t think that “tense” and “excitable” are similar,” you’re doubling down on your misreading/misunderstanding rather than playing devil’s advocate to your own inclinations. The test is right; understand it; learn; improve your interpretation of sentences.