Final answer:
None of the word pairs provided are exact antonyms. While words like 'process' and 'progress' or 'require' and 'request' may seem like opposites at a glance, they do not have opposite meanings. The closest pair that might be considered would be 'involve' and 'instruct', but they are not direct opposites.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks which two words are the closest antonyms. An antonym is a word that has the opposite meaning of another word.
Looking at each pair:
- Process and progress are not antonyms as they both indicate a forward movement or sequence, although 'process' focuses more on a series of actions or steps taken in order to achieve something while 'progress' refers to the forward or onward movement towards a destination.
- Require and request are not antonyms; to require something means it is necessary, whereas to request something is to politely or formally ask for it.
- Existence and expense are unrelated; existence refers to the fact or state of living or having objective reality, and expense refers to the cost incurred in or required for something.
- Involve and instruct could be considered antonyms to some extent as 'involve' means to include as a necessary part, whereas 'instruct' means to direct or command someone to do something, which is a different action, but they are not direct opposites.
Therefore, none of the pairs listed are clear or close antonyms.