Cutting edge- newest most advanced stage in development
tackling- make a determined effort to deal with a difficult problem
utilize- to use something
submersible- type of ship that can travel underwater
solo- alone
swell- slow up and down movement of the sea
exeedingly- extremely
conduct- to organise/do an activity
shallow- not having much distance between the top, surface or bottom
chart- to watch something with careful attention
One word you can say as an antonym is Honesty.
People who have had a traumatic childhood usually develop a mental defence which protects them emotionally from these traumas. This act of defence can be continued into later life even when it is not needed and this is why some people can react badly to being in romantic relationships.
"People maintain the defensive posture that they formed early in life."
The answer is: rhetorical question.
Rhetorical questions are questions which do not expect an answer. They may not have an answer or it might be too apparent. As a consequence, the speaker intends to make a point and make the audience reflect on something. In the excerpt, the author is determined to cause readers to contemplate on the limitations and the meaning of enlightenment.
