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EXERCISE 1

Directions (Q Nos. 1-50)

In each of the following sentences, a word or phrase is written in italicised letter. For
each
italicised part four words/phrases are listed below each sentence. Choose the word
nearest in meaning to the italicised part.

1. A million cinemas a year bring the same stale balderdash.

(a) adventure (b) nonsense (c) thriller (d) romance

2. There must be lively discussion of Indian authors if we are to foster our

knowledge.
(a) promote (b) cherish (c) nourish (d) nurture

3. Buoyed by these visions of the future of his son, the artist soldiered on.
(a) continued bravely (b) stopped further (c) struggled hard (d) fought on

4. Last fortnight, the rain came to the parched soils of India after the merciless
drought had already sapped the vitality and livelihood of millions of peasants.
(a) decreased (b) demolished (c) destroyed (d) drained away

5. The boy gave a vivid description of all that happened.

(a) brilliant (b) fresh (c) explanatory (d) picturesque

6. It is compulsory for all the students to join this tour.

(a) regular (b) necessary (c) dutiful (d) obligatory

7. Some of the discoveries of modem science are simply marvellous.

(a) praiseworthy (b) commendable (d) admirable (c) amazing

8. The teacher felt that the student lacked discrimination in the study of his data.
(a) imagination (b) good taste (c) objectivity (d) good judgement

9. We don't know how we are to recompense you for the trouble you have taken.
(a) reward (b) help (c) praise (d) thank

10. John Milton wrote 'Paradise Lost' to vindicate the ways of God to man.
(a) explain (b) support (c) justify (d) criticise

11. When youngsters do not have good role-models to emulate they start searching for
them among sportsmen or film stars.
(a) inhabit (b) imitate (c) mollify (d) modify

12. The eyewitness testimony was incontrovertible.

(a) debatable (b) unquestionable (c) unacceptable (d) disputable

13. The invasion forces had no artillery and were completely annihilated.
(a) reduced (b) destroyed (c) dismembered (d) split

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14. The novel was so interesting that I was oblivious of surroundings.

(a) indifferent (b) watchful (c) unmindful (d) precarious

15. Elsie is seventy years old and a fanatical gardener.

(a) crazy (b) fantastic (c) excessively enthusiastic (d) obsessed

16. The courage shown by the soldiers at this moment of crisis is exemplary
(a) admirable (b) clear (c) elementary (d) suitable

17. Grandfather has been getting feeble of late.

(a) tall (b) weak (c) diseased (d) small

18. Even though Akshay does not study hard, he always comes first in his class.
(a) scores (b) stands (c) arrives (d) completes

19. The arguments of the lawyer of the accused were so persuasive that the judge
acquitted him.
(a) convincing (b) clever (c) eloquent (d) logical

20. Your master will like you if you are diligent.

(a) conscientious (b) obedient (c) meticulous (d) hard working

21. We should always try to maintain and promote communal amity.

(a) understanding (b) bondage (c) friendship (d) contention

22. Before I could make out anything he had spoken again.

(a) find out (b) apprehend (c) explain (d) reveal

23. It is amazing how such a motley group could get along so well.
(a) heterogenous (b) assorted (c) promiscuous (d) confused

24. His speech was nothing but a string of platitudes.

(a) grand statements (b) stereo typed statements
(c) noble sentiments (d) humorous anecdotes

25. He wrote a scathing review of the prize-winning novel.

(a) biased (b) scornful (c) unbalanced (d) subjective

26. India has made spectacular progress in Science and technology.

(a) remarkable (b) great (c) formidable (d) super

27. The opposition criticised the ruling party for the deteriorating law and order
situation in the state.
(a) disrupting (b) worsening (c) crumbling (d) eroding

28. The flat has been refurbished recently.

(a) white-washed . (b) painted (c) renovated (d) repaired

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29. Even the most careful researcher cannot predict the possible future ramifications
of his findings.
(a) uses (b) developments (c) consequences (d) conclusions

30. He ended his speech on a supercilious note which was quite unexpected of a
person of balanced and stable temperament.
(a) defamatory (b) contemptuous (c) superfluous (d) irrelevant

31. Graduation day is a momentous day for most students.

(a) memorable (b) melancholy (c) important (d) hectic

32. The two opposing parties have reached a stalemate.

(a) dilemma (b) deadlock (c) exhaustion (d) settlement

33. The Prime Minister delivered an impromptu speech to the students.

(a) important (b) impressive (c) inspiring (d) offhand

34. This is a lucrative business.

(a) profitable (b) dangerous (c) challenging (d) questionable

35. Forthrightness in speech may not always be a desirable quality.

(a) outspokenness (b) obliqueness (c) mendacity (d) equivocation

36. Such conduct deserves reprimand.

(a) praise (b) punishment (c) rebuke (d) reward

37. On public occasions, she was very punctilious about forms and manners.
(a) serious (b) careful (c) artificial (d) casual

38. She is very discreet.

(a) mannered (b) mild (c) proud (d) prudent

39. After he came back from his evening walk, he felt famished.
(a) exhausted (b) hungry (c) peevish (d) relaxed

40. She purchased gimcrack ornaments from the market.

(a) expensive (b) worthless (c) rare (d) smuggled

41. He is a good looking but insipid young man.

(a) arrogant (b) unscrupulous (c) sick (d) lacking in spirit

42. He had insidiously wormed his way into her affections.

(a) in a polite manner (b) in a secret manner
(c) in ugly way (d) in a forceful manner

43. His boss' criticism left him feeling rather abashed.

(a) annoyed (b) arrogant (c) embarrassed (d) awakened

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44. The inexorable demands of the workers brought the company to a closure.
(a) unreasonable (b) relentless (c) monetary (d) violent

45. The acerbic remarks of the manager were unwarranted.

(a) bitter (b) furious (c) arrogant (d) childish

46. It was an astute move to sell the property at that stage.

(a) shrewd (b) unwise (c) dishonest (d) inexplicable

47. The five experiments gave disparate results.

(a) similar (b) encouraging (c) strange (d) different

48. The young girl appeared self-possessed in front of TV cameras.

(a) shy (b) confident (c) introvert (d) extrovert

49. The chairman conducted the meeting with aplomb.'

(a) arrogance (b) annoyance (c) poise (d) authority

50. The officer gave a lucid explanation of the company's course of action.
(a) vague (b) unconvincing (c) long (d) clear

EXERCISE 2

Directions (Q. Nos. 1-50)

The following sentences consist of a word or a phrase which is written in italicised
letters. Each of them is followed by four words or phrases. Select the word or the phrase
which is closest to the opposite in meaning of the italicised word or phrase.

1. Self-reliance has been adopted as an important objective of economic planning in

modem India.
(a) refused (b) forsaken (c) denied (d) discarded

2. His appointment was confirmed last month.

(a) disappointment (b) suspension (c) dismissal (d) discharge

3. He has a passion for indigenous goods.

(a) native (b) foreign (c) silly (d) cheap

4. He made an exhaustive list of the items his secretary should attend to.
(a) short (b) incomplete (c) interesting (d) meticulous

5. I like his friendly attitude.

(a) jealous (b) envious (c) hostile (d) vicious

6. He appears to be a phony person.

(a) beautiful (b) unread (c) genuine (d) ugly

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7. He was in a dejected mood.

(a) jubilant (b) rejected (c) irritable (d) romantic

8. Philosophers say that the world is an illusion.

(a) a fact (b) a reality (c) an actuality (d) a truth

9. There was a marked deterioration in his condition.

(a) improvement (b) revision (c) reformation (d) amendment
10. This offer has come as a great boon to me.
(a) curse (b) blemish (c) trouble (d) misfortune

11. I liked the poem for its literal meaning.

(a) deep (b) complex (c) fictitious (d) figurative

12. His book has a short but useful introduction.

(a) end (b) conclusion (c) termination (d) deduction
13. The Principal hardly managed to give the papers a cursory glance.
(a) curious (b) thorough (c) through (d) superficial

14. The attack on the freedom of the press is a retrograde step.

(a) progressive (b) stubborn (c) punitive (d) aggressive.

15. We received a cordial welcome from our host.

(a) indifferent (b) distrustful (c) cold (d) official

16. We should not belittle the value of small things.

(a) extol (b) praise (c) inflate (d) expand

17. It used to be said that travel broadens one’s outlook.

(a) narrows (b) shrinks (c) contracts (d) restricts

18. The criminal was detained by the police.

(a) deterred (b) released (c) dismissed (d) protected

19. It is obligatory for a common citizen to follow the rules.

(a) advisable (b) unnecessary (c) superfluous (d) optional

20. The government empowered itself to attach the assets of all the scam suspects.
(a) release (b) return (c) donate (d) detach

21. His urbane attitude won him many friends.

(a) indifferent (b) violent (c) rustic (d) rude

22. The leader might have had some covert reason for the change of his political
affiliations.
(a) unjustifiable (b) obvious (c) inexplicable (d) flimsy

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23. Lucy is a smart girl.

(a) lazy (b) active (c) indecent (d) casual

24. The room was filled with a delicious odour.

(a) bitter (b) repulsive (c) strange (d) unpalatable

25. That man is known for his elegance.

(a) awkwardness (b) indelicacy (c) clumsiness (d) savagery

26. Unsettled conditions in the land led to the exodus of hundreds of its citizens.
(a) invasion (b) intrusion (c) immigration (d) expulsion

27. In the interest of one's own reputation one should avoid ostentation while
entertaining friends.
(a) miserliness (b) simplicity (c) purity (d) innocence

28. Everything about him especially his talkative nature proclaims his effeminacy.
(a) aggressiveness (b) attractiveness (c) manliness (d) boorishness

29. The leader was pragmatic in his approach to the problems facing the country.
(a) indefinite (b) vague (c) idealistic (d) optimistic

30. She used to disparage her neighbours every now and then.
(a) please (b) praise (c) belittle (d) denigrate

31. The plantation workers were on a collision course before the labour officer
intervened.
(a) retaliatory (b) perfunctory (c) conciliatory (d) circuitous

32. Every self-respecting circus needs at least one dwarf.

(a) pigmy (b) undersized (c) giant (d) human

33. Of all the companions of our joyous ascent, there were only the two of us left.
(a) descant (b) descendant (c) descent (d) decent

34. Our knowledge of the past is still largely a matter of conjecture.

(a) certainty (b) guess (c) position (d) form

35. In all places and at all times, there is a profusion of talents.

(a) plenty (b) scarcity (c) aversion (d) generosity

36. It was altercation throughout and there was no discussion.

(a) consonance (b) alternative (c) inconsistency (d) resonance

37. We were surprised by the hostile attitude of the villagers.

(a) gentle, (b) friendly (c) self (d) forgiving

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38. His style was smooth, but there was no mistaking his determination.
(a) hard (b) dense (c) harsh (d) rough

39. Unlike the other candidates, his manner was entirely languid.
(a) energetic (b) lazy (c) liquid (d) slow

40. People who are actually running the system often take a myopic view of the
situation.
(a) farsightedness (b) visionary (c) blind (d) glassy

41. He is a very timid person.

(a) chivalrous (b) bold (c) outgoing (d) dashing

42. Genuine drugs are available in most of the medical shops.

(a) spurious (b) dubious (c) wrong (d) harmful

43. That was a dauntless action.

(a) cowardly (b) secret (c) subtle (d) devious

44. The momentum of the movement slackened in course of time.

(a) stopped (b) quickened (c) multiplied (d) recovered

45. He is a man of mellow temper.

(a) fickle (b) hot (c) irrational (d) excitable

46. They have not been eating nourishing food.

(a) unhygienic (b) undercooked (c) poor (d) heavy

47. His was a delicate constitution.

(a) fit (b)strong (c) rugged (d) ungainly

48. Let us not aggravate the sufferings of the, poor.

(a) advocate (b) appreciate (c) alleviate · (d) abbreviate

49. Misogynists are not applauded in society.

(a) Philanthropists (b) Philogists (c) Philogynists (d) Philanderers

50. Her vivacity attracted everybody.

(a) lethargy (b) truthfulness (c) beauty (d) apathy

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ANSWERS

EXERCISE 1

1. b 11. b 21. c 31. c 41. d

2. d 12. b 22. b 32. b 42. b
3. a 13. b 23. b 33. d 43. c
4. d 14. c 24. b 34. a 44. b
5. d 15. c 25. b 35. a 45. a
6. d 16. a 26. a 36. b 46. a
7. c 17. b 27. b 37. b 47. d
8. d 18. b 28. c 38. d 48. b
9. a 19. a 29. c 39. b 49. c
10. c 20. d 30. b 40. b 50. d

EXERCISE 2

1. d 11. d 21. d 31. c 41. b

2. c 12. b 22. b 32. c 42. a
3. b 13. b 23. a 33. c 43. a
4. b 14. a 24. d 34. a 44. b
5. c 15. a 25. a 35. b 45. d
6. c 16. a 26. c 36. a 46. a
7. a 17. a 27. b 37. b 47. c
8. b 18. b 28. c 38. d 48. c
9. a 19. d 29. c 39. a 49. c
10. a 20. a 30. b 40. a 50. a

EXPLANATIONS
EXERCISE 1

1. 'Balderdash' and 'nonsense' both have same meaning.

2. 'Foster' and 'nurture' have the same meaning -to help to grow.
3. 'Soldiered on' means 'to continue very bravely'.
4. 'sapped' means 'to be drained away' i.e. taken the moisture away.
5. 'Vivid' means 'picturesque' i.e. very lively.
6. 'Compulsory' and "obligatory' both mean 'necessary'.
7. 'Marvellous' gives the sense of 'amazing'.
8. 'Discrimination' has the context of 'good judgement'.
9. 'Recompense' and 'reward' both have same meaning-a prize or a present for a good
deed.
10. 'Vindicate' has the sense of 'justifying'.
11. 'Emulate' and 'imitate' both mean 'to copy'.
12. 'Incontrovertible' means 'unquestionable'.
13. 'Annihilate' means 'to destroy'.
14. 'Oblivious' means 'unmindful' i.e. forgetful.
15. 'Fanatical' gives the sense of being excessively enthusiastic.

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16. 'Exemplary' means 'admirable' i.e. worthy to be praised.

17. 'Feeble' means 'weak'.
18. 'Comes' has the context 'stands'.
19. 'Persuasive' means 'convincing' i.e. appealing to logic and rationale.
20. 'Diligent' means 'hard working'.
21. 'Amity' means 'friendship.'
22. 'To make out anything' means ‘to apprehend' i.e. to understand.
23. 'Motley' and 'assorted' both have the meaning -Divergent.
24. 'Platitudes' means 'stereo typed statements'.
25. 'Scathing' and 'scornful' both have a meaning-filled with anger, rage and atrocity.
26. 'Spectacular' means 'remarkable'.
27. 'Deteriorating' and 'worsening' both have a meaning- getting bad in condition.
28. 'Refurbished' means 'renovated' i.e. making something look new.
29. 'Ramifications' and 'consequences' both have meaning- resultant of an action or a
deed.
30. 'Supercilious' and 'contemptuous' both have a meaning.-derogatory in nature.
31. 'Momentous' means 'important'.
32. 'Stalemate' and 'deadlock' both have a meaning-a condition where no final decision
is made.
33. 'Impromptu' and 'offhand' both have a meaning-without plan or preparation.
34. 'Lucrative' means 'Profitable' -worthy getting a profit.
35. 'Forthrightness' and 'outspokenness' both have a meaning-straight forward.
36. 'Reprimand' means 'punishment'.

37. 'Punctilious' means 'careful'.

38. 'Discreet' and 'prudent' both have a meaning 'conscious about future'.
39. 'Famished' means 'hungry'.
40. 'Gimcrack' means 'worthless' i.e. without any significant usage.
41. 'Insipid' means 'lacking in spirit'.
42. 'Insidiously' means 'in a secret manner'.
43. 'Abashed' means 'embarrassed'.
44. 'Inexorable: means 'relentless' i.e. without any particular end.
45. 'Acerbic' means 'bitter'.
46. 'Astute' and 'shrewd' both have the meaning- with the element of the cunningness.
47. 'Disparate' means 'different'.
48. 'Self-possessed' means 'confident'
49. ‘Aplomb' and 'poise' both have a meaning 'with confidence'.
50. 'Lucid' means 'clear'.

EXERCISE 2

1. (d) 'Adopted' means 'to accept' hence 'discarded' is its antonym that gives the
sense 'to reject'.
2. (c) 'Appointment' means 'to offer employment' . Hence 'dismissal' is antonym.
3. (b) 'Indigenous' means 'related to the native place' but 'foreign' gives the opposite
sense.'
4. (b) 'Exhaustive' means 'complete' hence 'incomplete' is its antonym.
5. (c) Antonym of 'friendly' is 'hostile' i.e. filled with enmity.
6. (c) 'Phony' means 'fake'. Hence, 'genuine' is its antonym.

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7. (a) 'Dejected' means 'being in a sad mood' so 'jubilant' is antonym which gives the
sense of 'being happy'.
8. (b) 'Illusion' is 'not being real'. So, the antonym will be 'reality'.
9. (a) 'Deterioration' means 'worsening of a condition'. So, 'improvement' is its
antonym.
10. (a) 'Boon' and 'curse' are antonyms to each other.
11. (d) 'Literal' means 'exact' while 'figurative' means 'contextual'. Hence these are
antonyms.
12. (b) 'Introduction' and 'Conclusion' are the antonyms to each other.
13. (b) 'Cursory' means 'casual' while 'thorough' means 'careful'. Hence, these are
antonyms.
14. (a) 'Retrograde' means 'declining'. Hence, 'progressive' is its antonym.
15. (a) 'Cordial' means 'affectionate'. Hence, 'indifferent' is its antonym.
16. (a) 'Belittle' means 'to consider small' hence 'extol' is its antonym that means 'to
amplify the value'.
17. (a) 'Broadens' means 'to expand'. So, 'narrows' will be antonym that means 'to
shrink.'
18. (b) 'Detained' means 'to keep in the legal custody'. Hence, 'released' will be the
antonym.
19. (d) 'Obligatory' means 'compulsory'. So, 'optional' will be its antonym.
20. (a) 'Attach' means 'to confiscate' or 'to seize'. Hence, 'release' is its antonym.
21. (d) 'Urbane' means 'polite'. Hence, the antonym will be 'rude'.
22. (b) 'Covert' means 'hidden'. So, the antonym will be 'obvious.
23. (a) 'Smart' and 'Lazy' are antonyms.

24. (d) 'Delicious' means 'tasty'. But, the word 'unpalatable' means 'not tasty'.
25. (a) 'Elegance' means 'marvelousness' So, 'awkwardness' is its antonym.
26. (c) 'Exodus' means 'exit'. So, the antonym of the word is 'immigration'.
27. (b) 'Ostentation' means 'to show off'. Hence, 'simplicity' is its antonym.

28. (c) 'Effeminacy' means 'pertaining to the feminine behaviour'. Hence, the opposite
will be 'Manliness'.
29. (c) 'Pragmatic' means 'practical'. So, the antonym will be 'idealistic'.
30. (b) 'Disparage' means 'to criticise'. Hence, the antonym will be 'praise'.
31. (c) 'Collision' means a dash between two' while 'conciliatory' means 'an agreement
or harmony'. So, both are antonyms.
32. (c) 'Dwarf' means 'small' and 'giant' ·means 'huge'. So, they are antonyms.
33. (c) 'Ascent' and 'descent' are opposite to each other.
34. (a) 'Conjecture' means 'guess'. Hence, its antonym will be ‘certainty’.
35. (b) 'Profusion' means 'in plenty or 'in ample'. Hence, 'Scarcity' is its antonym that
means 'Less in quantity'.
36. (a) 'Altercation' means 'disagreement' and 'consonance' means 'agreement’. So,
these are opposites.
37. (b) 'Hostile' and 'friendly' are antonyms.
38. (d) 'Smooth' and 'rough' are the antonyms to each other.
39. (a) 'Languid' means 'Lazy' and thus 'energetic' is its opposite.
40. (a) 'Myopic' is 'near sightedness'. So, 'farsightedness' is its antonym.
41. (b) 'Timid' means 'coward'. Hence, the antonym is 'bold'.

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42. (a) 'Genuine' means 'real'. So, antonym will be 'spurious' i.e. 'fake'.
43. (a) 'Dauntless' means 'brave'. So, its antonym will be 'cowardly'.
44. (b) 'Slackened' means · 'slow'. Hence, 'quickened' is its antonym.
45. (d) 'Mellow' means 'soft'. Hence; its antonym will be 'excitable'.
46. (a) 'Nourishing' means 'healthy and nutritious' . So, 'unhygienic' will be its
antonym.
47. (c) 'Delicate' means 'tender'. So, antonym will be 'rugged' which means strong'.
48. (c) 'Aggravate' means 'to worsen the situation'. So, its antonym will be 'alleviate'
which means 'to take out of the sufferings'.
49. (c) 'Misogynists' means 'one who hates women'. Hence its antonym will be
'philogynists' which means 'lover of women folks'.
50. (a) 'Vivacity' means 'energetic'. So, 'lethargy' will be its antonym that has the
meaning 'dull' or 'lazy'.

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