Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined word.
Participation in the programme is optional?
Answer Details
The option nearest in meaning to the underlined word "optional" is "a matter of choice". This means that participating in the programme is not required or mandatory, but rather it is up to the individual's discretion whether or not they want to take part. The word "optional" indicates that there is no obligation or compulsion to participate. It is important to note that the other options do not convey the same meaning, as "unnecessary" suggests that participation is not needed at all, "recommended" implies that participation is encouraged, and "hard to justify" implies that there may be reasons to question or challenge the decision to participate.