As used in the passage,which is the best antonym for protracted?
Option (D)
protracted (adjective): prolonged; drawn out; lengthened. Maria writes,“I have just learned that our town’s public art museum will be eliminating Saturday hours next month due to a protracted budget shortfall.” Maria goes on to describe the shortfall as “continued.” The reader can infer from this that protracted means long or drawn out. The opposite of drawn out is shortened. Therefore (D) is correct.