Word Focus Synonym Sets test 01

Questions 1-15 are Antonyms. Find the word most nearly OPPOSITE in meaning to the given word.

1. Periphrastic is most nearly opposite in meaning to

A. Concise
B. Circular
C. Comprehensive
D. Ardent
E. Junior

2. Sprightly is most nearly opposite in meaning to

A. Voluble
B. Nimble
C. Sluggish
D. Hurried
E. Genuine

3. Taciturn is most nearly opposite in meaning to

A. Spoken
B. Placatory
C. Leisurely
D. Talkative
E. Confident

4. Prolix is most nearly opposite in meaning to

A. Antediluvian
B. Terse
C. Awkward
D. Belligerent
E. Forward

5. Revere is most nearly opposite in meaning to

A. Accept
B. Convert
C. Accelerate
D. Consider
E. Vilify

6. Plaudit is most nearly opposite in meaning to

A. Denunciation
B. Pleasure
C. Honorary
D. Disgrace
E. Diffidence

7. Desultory is most nearly opposite in meaning to

A. Salacious
B. Cursory
C. Assiduous
D. Asinine
E. Jovial

8. Blundering is most nearly opposite in meaning to

A. Arousing
B. Shocking
C. Disgraceful
D. Nimble
E. Nonchalant

9. Castigate is most nearly opposite in meaning to

A. Incarcerate
B. Extol
C. Remit
D. Flatten
E. Change

10. Salute is most nearly opposite in meaning to

A. Acquire
B. Cogitate
C. Espy
D. Plant
E. Defame

11. Lackadaisical is most nearly opposite in meaning to

A. Conscientious
B. Superficial
C. Abrupt
D. Egotistical
E. Germane

12. Fastidious is most nearly opposite in meaning to

A. Monotonous
B. Negligent
C. Interminable
D. Aloof
E. Miniscule

13. Execrate is most nearly opposite in meaning to

A. Inter
B. Devolve
C. Revere
D. Negate
E. Curtail

14. Indictment is most nearly opposite in meaning to

A. Crime
B. Tirade
C. Harangue
D. Punishment
E. Eulogy

15. Ponderous is most nearly opposite in meaning to

A. Abiding
B. Deceased
C. Dull
D. Sprightly
E. Serpentine

Questions 16-20 are sentence completions. Choose the answer which contains the words that best fit the blanks and complete the meaning of the given sentence.

16. We appreciated his ____ summary of the situation; he wasted no words yet put his point most persuasively.

A. trite
B. succinct
C. timorous
D. ponderous
E. fractious

17. Waste management is a ____ problem for the modern city, a problem that is never likely to be addressed unless we change our ____ attitude to recycling.

A. growing - flexible
B. minor - positive
C. trivial - ambivalent
D. perennial - lax
E. recurring - stringent

18. Our accountant is most ____; he has never made a mistake in all the years he has worked for us.

A. curmudgeonly
B. cantankerous
C. morose
D. meticulous
E. lethargic

19. When he was described on stage as a ____, Johnson threatened to sue the comedian for ____, claiming that he was as dexterous as the next man.

A. lummox - slander
B. conjuror - libel
C. wizard - misrepresentation
D. failure - compensation
E. criminal - embezzlement

20. The journalist ____ the efforts of the drug squad to control drug pedaling, claiming that the police team had actually made the problem worse.

A. disparaged
B. described
C. desecrated
D. commended
E. misconstrued