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If someone is described as 'gullible', what is the opposite trait they might possess?
Cynical
Incredulous
Skeptical
All of the above
The correct answer is: All of the above
The term 'gullible' refers to a person who is easily deceived or tricked, often trusting too readily. The opposite traits of gullibility include being cautious, doubtful, or not easily convinced. Being cynical reflects a mindset that is distrustful of people's motives, leading them to believe that others are primarily driven by selfish interests. A person described as cynical may question the sincerity of others and expect deception. Incredulous individuals are characterized by their unwillingness to accept or believe things readily, often having doubts about the truth of claims. This trait shows a clear contrast to gullibility since an incredulous person would require substantial evidence before accepting something as true. Skeptical people tend to question and critically analyze information instead of accepting it at face value. Skepticism involves a degree of doubt and thoughtful inquiry that opposes the gullible nature of accepting information unquestioned. Each of these traits—cynical, incredulous, and skeptical—embodies a lack of readiness to trust or believe, making them opposites of gullibility, thereby supporting the conclusion that all of them can be seen as the opposite traits of someone who is gullible.