Question 1

Select the most appropriate antonym of the given word: Polymathic

Accepted Answer

Uninformed. Polymathic means having knowledge in many different subjects or being learned. The opposite is someone who is uninformed or lacking knowledge.

Question 2

Select the most appropriate antonym of the given word: Eulogy

Accepted Answer

Castigation. A eulogy is a speech or piece of writing that praises someone highly, usually after death. The antonym should express blame or censure, which is captured by castigation.

Question 3

Select the most appropriate synonym of the given word: AMORPHOUS

Accepted Answer

Vague. "Amorphous" means shapeless, vague, or lacking a definite structure. Among the options, "Vague" is the closest synonym.

Question 4

Identify the correct spelling of the term for chromosomal "three copies."

Accepted Answer

Trisomy. The correct spelling is "trisomy," which refers to the presence of three copies of a chromosome. The other options are misspellings.

Question 5

Identify the correct one-word substitute for: "A condition of disuse or inactivity."

Accepted Answer

Desuetude. "Desuetude" means a state of disuse or inactivity, especially for customs, laws, or practices. The other options do not match this meaning.

Question 6

Select the correct option: Her rebuttal, although polished, did not __________ the core issue raised by the opposition.

Accepted Answer

address. “Address” means to deal with or tackle a problem directly, which fits the sentence. The other options do not convey the idea of responding to the core issue.

Question 7

Choose the correct one-word substitute for: “A government controlled by the rich and powerful.”

Accepted Answer

Plutocracy. A plutocracy is a form of government in which the wealthy class holds power. The other options refer to rule by a few, by officials, or by experts.

Question 8

Identify the incorrectly spelt word:

Accepted Answer

Inadvartant. “Inadvartant” is misspelled; the correct spelling is “inadvertent.” The other three words are correctly spelled.

Question 9

Choose the correct meaning of the idiom: Pull no punches

Accepted Answer

To be direct and honest. “Pull no punches” means to speak frankly and directly without avoiding harsh truths. It does not mean hesitation, deception, or neutrality.

Question 10

Spot the correct spelling of an electron transport protein.

Accepted Answer

Cytochrome. The correct spelling is "cytochrome." It is a class of electron-transport proteins involved in cellular respiration.

Question 11

Select the most appropriate antonym of the given word: MELANCHOLY

Accepted Answer

Jovial. "Melancholy" means sad or depressed. "Jovial" means cheerful and happy, so it is the correct antonym.

Question 12

Choose the correct meaning of the idiom: Has a second string to his bow.

Accepted Answer

He has an extra skill or backup option to depend on.. The idiom "a second string to one's bow" means having an additional skill, plan, or resource to rely on if needed. It refers to a backup option.

Question 13

Choose the correct one-word substitute for: "A condition of temporary suspension or being kept on hold."

Accepted Answer

Abeyance. "Abeyance" means a temporary state of suspension or inactivity. It is the correct one-word substitute for being kept on hold.

Question 14

Select the sentence containing the homonym of the highlighted word: The old oriel window jutted gracefully from the manor’s outer wall.

Accepted Answer

The engineer calibrated the signal using the oriel.. "Oriel" in the question refers to a type of window. The homonym is the same-sounding word used in a different context, which appears in the option about calibrating a signal.

Question 15

Select the most appropriate antonym of the given word: DISCORD

Accepted Answer

Concord. "Discord" means disagreement or lack of harmony. Its antonym is "concord," which means agreement or harmony. The other options are related to noise, not the opposite meaning.

Question 16

Select the most appropriate antonym of the given word: RUSE

Accepted Answer

Candor. "Ruse" means a trick or deceptive plan. "Candor" means honesty, frankness, or openness, which is the opposite. The other options are all related to deception.

Question 17

Select the most appropriate synonym of the given word: DETRIMENTAL

Accepted Answer

Damaging. "Detrimental" means harmful or causing damage. "Damaging" is the closest synonym among the options. The other choices have positive or calming meanings.

Question 18

Select the most appropriate antonym of the given word: ADULATORY

Accepted Answer

Modest. "Adulatory" means excessively flattering or praising. Its antonym is "modest," which suggests humility and restraint.

Question 19

Select the most appropriate antonym of the given word: Conciliatory

Accepted Answer

Provocative. 'Conciliatory' means intended to placate or make peace. 'Provocative' is the opposite because it means likely to provoke or irritate, creating conflict rather than calming it.

Question 20

Select the sentence containing the homonym of the highlighted word: The scholar presented a detailed review of the tripos in nineteenth-century Cambridge examinations.

Accepted Answer

The photographer adjusted the tripos to steady the camera on uneven ground.. The highlighted word is 'tripos', which in the Cambridge context refers to an honours examination. In option C, 'tripos' is used in the sense of a three-legged stand or support, which is a different meaning of the same word form, making it the homonym.

Question 21

Spot the correct spelling of a sense related to body-movement awareness.

Accepted Answer

Proprioception. 'Proprioception' is the correct spelling of the sense that helps a person perceive body position and movement. The other options contain spelling errors in the middle or ending.

Question 22

Choose the correct one-word substitute for: “A remark that seems absurd or self-opposing but can contain truth.”

Accepted Answer

Paradox. A paradox is a statement or remark that seems self-contradictory or absurd but may reveal a truth. The other options do not match this meaning.

Question 23

Choose the correct one-word substitute for: ‘A formal speech or writing that offers elaborate praise for someone’.

Accepted Answer

Panegyric. A panegyric is a formal speech or piece of writing that praises someone highly. The other options mean a lament for the dead, a sermon, and a long speech by one person.

Question 24

Select the most appropriate synonym of the given word: ZENITH

Accepted Answer

Summit. "Zenith" means the highest point or peak. "Summit" is the closest synonym among the options.

Question 25

In the passage, the word “chiaroscuro” most nearly means:

Accepted Answer

A contrast of light and dark. Chiaroscuro literally refers to the use of strong contrasts between light and dark. In the passage, it is used metaphorically to describe the interplay of joy and sorrow as light and shadow.

Question 26

Select the sentence containing the homonym of the highlighted word: He slipped a compact umbrella into his backpack.

Accepted Answer

The two nations entered a compact to share water resources.. In the given sentence, compact is used as an adjective meaning small or tightly packed. The homonym is compact as a noun meaning an agreement or pact, which appears in the sentence about two nations.

Question 27

Select the most appropriate antonym of the given word: Utopian

Accepted Answer

Realistic. 'Utopian' means idealistic, unrealistically perfect, or visionary. The opposite is 'realistic', which refers to what is practical and based on actual conditions.

Question 28

Choose the right collocation: The report delivers a _____ evaluation of the new policy framework.

Accepted Answer

thorough-going. “Thorough-going” is a standard collocation meaning complete, exhaustive, or far-reaching. The other options are either ungrammatical or do not form a natural phrase with “evaluation.”

Question 29

Select the sentence containing the homonym of the highlighted word: The monk carried a carved crosier into the sanctuary.

Accepted Answer

The gardener admired the crosier ferns growing near the pond.. A homonym is a word that sounds the same as another word but has a different meaning. Here, “crosier” in the target sentence refers to a bishop’s staff, while “crosier ferns” uses the same word in a botanical sense, making it the homonymic usage.

Question 30

Select the most appropriate synonym of the given word: INEXORABLE

Accepted Answer

Relentless. “Inexorable” means impossible to stop, avoid, or change; it also suggests unrelenting force. “Relentless” is the closest synonym among the options.

Question 31

Choose the correct meaning of the idiom: Get the jump on

Accepted Answer

Gain an edge by moving first. “Get the jump on” means to gain an advantage by acting before others. It is commonly used in competitive or strategic contexts.

Question 32

Spot the correct spelling of a term for involuntary repetition of others’ words.

Accepted Answer

Echolalia. “Echolalia” is the correct spelling for involuntary repetition of another person’s words. The other options are misspellings.

Question 33

Select the most appropriate antonym of the given word: Sycophantic

Accepted Answer

Self-assured. “Sycophantic” means overly flattering or obsequious. “Self-assured” is the best antonym because it suggests confidence and independence, unlike the other options which are similar in meaning to sycophantic.

Question 34

Choose the correct one-word substitute for: “An exaggerated sense of one’s own importance.”

Accepted Answer

Vanity. “Vanity” means excessive pride in or admiration of one’s own appearance or achievements, which matches the given definition. The other options do not convey self-importance.

Question 35

Choose the correct meaning of the idiom: Hammer and tongs

Accepted Answer

With great intensity. “Hammer and tongs” means doing something with great energy, force, or intensity. It does not imply secrecy, lack of preparation, or ease.

Question 36

Which is the correct spelling for a word meaning “countless”?

Accepted Answer

Innumerable. “Innumerable” is the correct spelling and means too many to be counted, i.e., countless. The other spellings are incorrect variants.

Question 37

Select the most appropriate antonym of the given word: Oppugn

Accepted Answer

Uphold. 'Oppugn' means to oppose, attack, or challenge. The antonym is 'Uphold', which means to support or defend.

Question 38

Choose the correct one-word substitute for: “A feeling of listless dissatisfaction arising from lack of interest.”

Accepted Answer

Ennui. "Ennui" means a feeling of listless dissatisfaction and boredom caused by lack of interest or stimulation. The other options mean weakness or tiredness, enthusiasm, and intense joy respectively.

Question 39

Select the sentence containing the homonym of the highlighted word: The researcher prepared a brief digest of the new regulations.

Accepted Answer

After dinner, she sipped herbal tea to help her digest the heavy food.. The highlighted word "digest" in the sentence means a summary. In option A, "digest" is used as a verb meaning to process food, making it the homonym.

Question 40

Identify the correctly spelt adjective that means "a fortunate discovery by chance."

Accepted Answer

Serendipitous. "Serendipitous" is the correct adjective meaning occurring by chance in a fortunate way. The other options are incorrect spellings.

Question 41

Select the most appropriate synonym of the given word: CLARIFY

Accepted Answer

Explain. "Clarify" means to make something clear or easier to understand. Among the options, "Explain" is the closest synonym.

Question 42

Select the sentence containing the homonym of the highlighted word: The historian described the vault above the ancient hall.

Accepted Answer

The athlete executed a clean vault in the gymnastics final.. "Vault" can mean an arched roof/ceiling or a leap in gymnastics. The sentence about the athlete uses the homonym in the gymnastics sense.

Question 43

Choose the correct one-word substitution for: "An official, general forgiveness declared by the State."

Accepted Answer

Amnesty. "Amnesty" means a general pardon, especially for political offenses or a group of people. It matches the definition given.

Question 44

Select the most appropriate antonym of the given word: Pungent

Accepted Answer

Insipid. “Pungent” means having a strong, sharp taste or smell. The opposite is “insipid,” which means dull, bland, or lacking flavour.

Question 45

Choose the correct meaning of the idiom: Sell ice to an Eskimo

Accepted Answer

Offer something to someone who already has plenty of it. The idiom “sell ice to an Eskimo” means trying to sell something to someone who already has plenty of it or does not need it. It suggests redundancy or futility.

Question 46

Select the sentence containing the homonym of the highlighted word: The restorer traced a cartouche framing the monarch’s inscription.

Accepted Answer

The designer added a cartouche of scrollwork to surround the portrait on the arch.. A homonym is a word that has the same spelling or pronunciation but a different meaning. Here, “cartouche” can also mean an ornamental scroll-like design, which is used in the correct option.

Question 47

Choose the correct one-word substitute for: “A vast, profound depth that appears endless.”

Accepted Answer

Abyss. “Abyss” means a deep, seemingly bottomless chasm or void. It best matches the idea of a vast, profound depth that appears endless.

Question 48

Which is the correct spelling of a word meaning “independence in decision-making”?

Accepted Answer

Sovereignty. “Sovereignty” is the correct spelling. It refers to supreme authority or independence in decision-making.

Question 49

Choose the correct meaning of the idiom: Follow the rules to the letter

Accepted Answer

Obey instructions exactly and strictly. “Follow the rules to the letter” means to obey rules or instructions exactly, without any deviation. It does not refer to literal walking or military enlistment.

Question 50

Select the most appropriate synonym of the given word: INTRANSIGENT

Accepted Answer

Obstinate. Intransigent means uncompromising or stubborn. Among the options, obstinate is the closest synonym.

SSC CGL (Prelims) General: Vocabulary questions with solutions

Questions