Question

pick out an expression used in the passage which means ‘an agent that relieves or counteracts.’

• A. Limit setting
• B. Dormant
• C. Figuring
• D. Antidote

Answer 1

Answer:

D. Antidote

Understanding the Term 'Antidote'

• Definition: An antidote is a substance that can counteract a poison or the effects of a poison. It acts as an agent to relieve or neutralize harmful effects.
• Etymology: The word 'antidote' comes from the Greek word antidotos, meaning 'a giving against'. This highlights its primary function of opposing or counteracting something harmful.
• Medical Context: In medicine, antidotes are crucial for treating poisoning. They work through various mechanisms, such as binding to the poison, blocking its receptors, or speeding up its elimination from the body.
• Types of Antidotes:
  • Specific Antidotes: These are designed to counteract a particular poison (e.g., naloxone for opioid overdose).
  • Non-specific Antidotes: These work generally to reduce absorption or promote elimination (e.g., activated charcoal).
  • Universal Antidotes: A combination of substances believed to counteract a wide range of poisons, though their effectiveness is debated.
• Competitive Exam Relevance: Questions often test the understanding of vocabulary, especially words with specific meanings in contexts like science, medicine, or literature. Recognizing 'antidote' as an agent that relieves or counteracts is a common type of vocabulary question.
• Example Usage: 'The doctor administered an antidote to counteract the effects of the snake venom.'
• Synonyms (for broader vocabulary understanding): Counteragent, remedy, cure, neutralizer, counteractant.