Choose the option opposite in meaning to the word or phrase underlined.
Ebere's indolence contrasts with her sister's.
The word indolence means a tendency to avoid activity or exertion; essentially, it refers to being lazy or avoiding work. To find the word that is opposite in meaning, we need to look for a term that conveys the idea of someone being hardworking or active.
Let's go through the options:
Indulgence means allowing oneself or another to enjoy something, which doesn't directly relate to being lazy or hardworking.
Laziness is actually similar in meaning to indolence, as it also refers to the avoidance of work or being idle.
Diligence means careful and persistent work or effort. This is the opposite of indolence because it implies being active, hardworking, and industrious. Therefore, diligence is the correct opposite of indolence.
Prudence involves being careful and sensible in one's actions, especially in willful consideration of the future. While it involves thoughtful behavior, it doesn't directly relate to laziness or being hardworking.
In summary, the word opposite in meaning to indolence is diligence, as it represents being hardworking and dedicated to tasks.