Concept:The word "stringent" means strict, severe, or tightly enforced. Its opposite should mean loose or not strict.
Explanation:The sentence describes a law against armed robbery as "stringent," meaning very strict.
It then asks for a word that is most nearly opposite in meaning to fill the gap about a law against smoking in public places.
Among the options, "lax" means not strict, loose, or lenient.
The other options, "accurate," "complex," and "easy," do not directly mean the opposite of strict.
Therefore, "lax" correctly contrasts with "stringent."
Answer:C. lax