Choose the words that are the antonyms of 'Preservation'

A. conservation
B. waste
C. safekeeping
D. Deterioration
E. Maintenance

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

B, D

The correct answer is Option (2) → B, D

Here's why:

• Conservation: While closely related to preservation, conservation focuses on managing resources wisely to ensure their long-term availability. It's not necessarily the opposite of preservation, but rather a different aspect of protecting something.
• Waste: This directly opposes preservation as it implies using something up or discarding it, leading to its loss.
• Safekeeping: Similar to conservation, safekeeping focuses on protecting something, but often in a physical sense rather than a broader context. It's not the direct opposite of preservation.
• Deterioration: This signifies a decline in quality or condition, which is the opposite of preservation's goal of maintaining something in its original state.
• Maintenance: While maintenance can help preserve something in the long run, it's more about upkeep and repair rather than actively preventing deterioration. It's not the direct opposite.

Therefore, the antonyms of "preservation" are waste (destruction) and deterioration (decline), which directly oppose the act of keeping something in its original state. The other options are not true opposites, but rather related concepts.