Which one of the following words is opposite in meaning to the word, 'soaring' (Para 2) as used in the passage?

'Soaring' in the context of temperatures means rising sharply. The opposite is 'falling' (decreasing). 'Hovering' means staying in place, 'exasperating' means annoying, and 'deteriorating' means worsening—none are direct antonyms of rising/soaring.