Select the most appropriate ANTONYM of the highlighted word in the given sentence.
"His gloomy demeanor is often criticized."

Explanation of the Correct Answer:
· The word gloomy means sad, dull, or depressed in nature.
· The opposite of gloomy should mean cheerful, bright, or full of life.
· The word "lively" is the correct antonym as it means energetic, full of life, and cheerful.
Other options:
· (b) Slimy → Incorrect; means greasy or slippery, which has no relation to the meaning of gloomy.
· (c) Highly → Incorrect; means to a great degree or extent, which is unrelated to the meaning of gloomy.
· (d) Poorly → Incorrect; means in a bad way, which does not contrast directly with gloomy.
Thus, the correct antonym of gloomy is (a) Lively.