Question 1

Choose the correct meaning of the idiom: Blow a fuse.

Accepted Answer

To become suddenly angry. “Blow a fuse” is an idiom meaning to become very angry suddenly. It is commonly used for an abrupt loss of temper.

Question 2

Select the correct option: The new rules, though seemingly driven by fiscal necessity, were actually a covert move to ____ dissent under “austerity.”

Accepted Answer

quell. “Quell” means to suppress or put an end to something, which fits the context of suppressing dissent. The other options do not match this meaning.

Question 3

Select the most appropriate antonym of the given word: FLEETING

Accepted Answer

Enduring. "Fleeting" means lasting for a very short time. "Enduring" means lasting for a long time, so it is the correct antonym.

Question 4

Select the sentence containing the homonym of the highlighted word: During the ceremony, the fanon lay across the bishop’s shoulder.

Accepted Answer

The students discussed Fanon’s views on colonial identity.. The highlighted word "fanon" refers to a liturgical vestment. In the correct option, "Fanon" is a proper noun, the surname of Frantz Fanon, so it is a homonym in a different sense and context.

Question 5

Identify the misspelt word.

Accepted Answer

Occurence. 'Occurence' is misspelt; the correct spelling is 'Occurrence'. The other three words are correctly spelled.

Question 6

Select the most appropriate antonym of the given word: OBLITERATE.

Accepted Answer

Foster. 'Obliterate' means to destroy completely. 'Foster' means to encourage, promote, or support, which is the opposite in meaning. The other options are synonyms of 'obliterate'.

Question 7

Select the correct option: Her interpretation was diametrically ________ to the accepted doctrine.

Accepted Answer

opposed. The standard expression is 'diametrically opposed', meaning completely contrary. The other options do not form the correct collocation with 'diametrically'.

Question 8

Select the most appropriate synonym of the given word: INFANTILE

Accepted Answer

Puerile. 'Infantile' means childish, immature, or silly. 'Puerile' is the closest synonym among the options.

Question 9

Spot the correct spelling of an early film material.

Accepted Answer

Celluloid. 'Celluloid' is the correct spelling. It refers to an early plastic material used in film and photography.

Question 10

Choose the correct meaning of the idiom: Mend fences

Accepted Answer

To restore friendly relations after a dispute. 'Mend fences' is an idiom meaning to repair a relationship or restore friendly relations after a quarrel or dispute. It is often used in political or personal contexts.

Question 11

Choose the correct one-word substitute for: 'A person who is excessively fond of eating and drinking.'

Accepted Answer

Gourmand. A 'gourmand' is a person who enjoys eating and drinking, often excessively. The other options refer to self-denial, endurance, or stinginess.

Question 12

Select the sentence containing the homonym of the highlighted word: The knight adjusted his pauldron before the joust.

Accepted Answer

Professor Pauldron delivered a lecture on medieval warfare to the history students.. The highlighted word 'pauldron' refers to a piece of armour. The homonym is the proper noun 'Pauldron' used as a surname in option C, which sounds the same but has a different meaning.

Question 13

Select the most appropriate antonym of the given word: DECEITFUL

Accepted Answer

Candid. "Deceitful" means dishonest or misleading. "Candid" means frank, honest, and straightforward, making it the best antonym among the options.

Question 14

Choose the correct one-word substitution for: The practice of spying to obtain secret information.

Accepted Answer

Espionage. "Espionage" means the practice of spying or using spies to obtain secret information. The other options relate to negotiation or settlement, not spying. Therefore, the correct answer is Espionage.

Question 15

Select the most appropriate synonym of the given word: CALLOUS

Accepted Answer

Unconcerned. "Callous" means insensitive, hard-hearted, or lacking concern for others. Among the options, "Unconcerned" is the closest in meaning. The other choices do not match the sense of emotional indifference.

Question 16

Choose the correct one-word substitute for: Fear of closed spaces.

Accepted Answer

Claustrophobia. "Claustrophobia" is the fear of closed or confined spaces. The other options refer to fear of spiders, heights, and water respectively. Therefore, the correct answer is Claustrophobia.

Question 17

Select the correct option: Despite careful planning, last-minute complications ___ the credibility of the final report.

Accepted Answer

eroded. "Eroded" means gradually weakened or damaged, which fits the idea that complications reduced the report's credibility. The other options have positive or unrelated meanings.

Question 18

Select the most appropriate synonym of the given word: ROSEATE

Accepted Answer

Promising. "Roseate" means rosy, optimistic, or promising. Among the options, "promising" is the closest synonym.

Question 19

Select the most appropriate antonym of the given word: Unremitting

Accepted Answer

Sporadic. "Unremitting" means continuous, unceasing, or not stopping. The antonym should mean occasional or irregular, which is "sporadic."

Question 20

Select the sentence containing the homonym of the highlighted word: The cathedral’s façade was reinforced by a carved corbel supporting the balcony.

Accepted Answer

The strategist used a political corbel to justify his controversial alliance.. A homonym is a word that has the same spelling or pronunciation but a different meaning. Here, the highlighted word is used in architecture, while option C uses the same word in a different, figurative context.

Question 21

Choose the correct one-word substitute for the given phrase: A belief that contradicts accepted religious doctrine

Accepted Answer

Heresy. Heresy means a belief or opinion that goes against accepted religious doctrine. Apostasy means abandonment of a religion, while mutiny and rebellion refer to revolt against authority.

Question 22

Which is the correct spelling of the word meaning having a harmful effect?

Accepted Answer

Deleterious. Deleterious is the correct spelling of the word meaning harmful or damaging. The other options are misspellings.

Question 23

Select the appropriate word form: The ambiguity in the statute resulted in considerable ____ among stakeholders.

Accepted Answer

confusion. The phrase "considerable ____" requires a noun. "Confusion" is the correct noun form and fits the meaning of uncertainty caused by ambiguity.

Question 24

Choose the correct meaning of the idiom: Keeps a good table.

Accepted Answer

Serves abundant and refined meals. The idiom "keeps a good table" means to provide good, plentiful, and well-prepared food. It is used for someone who serves meals of high quality.

Question 25

Select the sentence containing the homonym of the highlighted word: The priest draped a linen amice around his shoulders before commencing the liturgy.

Accepted Answer

The actress wrapped an amice around her neck to ward off the evening chill.. "Amice" can refer to a liturgical vestment and also, in another sense, a cloth worn around the neck or shoulders. The sentence about the actress uses the other meaning, so it contains the homonym.

Question 26

Which is the correct spelling of a word meaning "highly skilled or proficient"?

Accepted Answer

Adept. "Adept" means highly skilled or proficient. The other options are misspellings or different words.

Question 27

Choose the correct one-word substitution for: A person who believes that events are predetermined by destiny.

Accepted Answer

Fatalist. A person who believes that events are predetermined by destiny is called a fatalist. The other options refer to different philosophical attitudes.

Question 28

Choose the correct meaning of the idiom: Yeoman service

Accepted Answer

Loyal and invaluable assistance. "Yeoman service" means loyal, valuable, and devoted assistance. It is used to praise someone for excellent support or hard work.

Question 29

Choose the correct meaning of the idiom: Coals of fire upon his head

Accepted Answer

To repay hostility with generosity. The idiom means to treat an enemy kindly or generously, which may cause remorse or shame. It comes from the idea of overcoming hostility with benevolence.

Question 30

Select the correct spelling for a word meaning ‘lasting for a very short duration’.

Accepted Answer

Ephemeral. "Ephemeral" is the correct spelling and means lasting for a very short time. The other options are misspellings.

Question 31

Which spelling is correct for a word meaning 'relating to the countryside'?

Accepted Answer

Rural. The correct spelling is "rural," which means relating to the countryside. The other options are misspellings.

Question 32

Select the most appropriate antonym of the given word: Impecunious

Accepted Answer

Opulent. "Impecunious" means having little or no money. Its antonym is "opulent," which means wealthy or rich.

Question 33

Select the sentence containing the homonym of the highlighted word: The pilgrims walked through the cathedral's ambulatory in reverent silence.

Accepted Answer

The hospital's ambulatory unit was expanded to serve outpatients.. "Ambulatory" can mean a covered passage in a cathedral, and it can also relate to walking or outpatient medical care. The hospital sentence uses the medical sense, making it the homonymic usage.

Question 34

Select the most appropriate antonym of the given word: Lugubrious

Accepted Answer

Buoyant. 'Lugubrious' means sad, mournful, or gloomy. 'Buoyant' means cheerful, lively, or optimistic, which is the opposite in meaning.

Question 35

Select the sentence containing the homonym of the highlighted word: The professor drew attention to a fundamental aporia in the argument.

Accepted Answer

The structural aporia in the bridge’s design was measured precisely by the surveyor.. The highlighted word 'aporia' normally means a philosophical puzzle or impasse. The correct option uses the same spelling in a different, nonstandard sense related to a structural feature, making it the homonym-like usage among the choices. The other options use the word in the same philosophical sense.

Question 36

Choose the correct meaning of the idiom: Make ends meet.

Accepted Answer

To manage one's expenses within one's income. 'Make ends meet' means to have just enough money to cover necessary expenses. It refers to managing income and expenditure so that one does not spend more than one earns.

Question 37

In the passage, what is the closest meaning of the word "illuminated"?

Accepted Answer

Revealed. In the passage, "illuminated" is used figuratively to mean made clear or revealed. The sentence says oceanographic research has clarified the ocean's role in climate regulation.

Question 38

What is the meaning of the word "anthropogenic" as used in the context: "...the oceans remain profoundly vulnerable to anthropogenic pressures..."

Accepted Answer

Caused by human activity. "Anthropogenic" means originating from human activity. In the passage, it describes pressures such as pollution and overfishing, which are caused by humans.

Question 39

Which spelling is correct for a word meaning "the quality of being thankful"?

Accepted Answer

Gratitude. The correct spelling is "gratitude," which means thankfulness. The other options contain extra letters and are incorrect.

Question 40

Select the correct option: The company expanded so quickly that its systems could _______ keep up.

Accepted Answer

barely. "Barely" means "only just" or "almost not," which fits the idea that the systems could just manage to keep up. The other options do not match the intended meaning as well.

SSC CGL (Prelims) General: English Vocabulary questions with solutions

Questions