Vocabulary 4 Bank Exams

An antonym is a word which has the opposite meaning of the given word. Let us see some tips to crack this part. 1. Note that the given word and the answer must belong to the same parts of speech. Pragmatic: a) Angry b) quixotic c) colourful d) pungent The word Pragmatic is an adje-ctive. Out of the given options the word which is opposite in meaning and belonging to the same parts of speech is quixotic. The correct answer is b. 2. The given word and the answer must belong to the same tense form. Perceived: a) Ignored b) created c) apprehend d) conceive Here the alternatives apprehend and conceive are in the present tense and thus they can be rejected. Ignored gives an opposite meaning and it is also in the past tense as the word Perceived is. Thus, the correct answer is a. 3. Make sure that the given word and the answer are in the same voice. Contraction: a) Reduction b) something which is being expanded c) increase d) expansive The word Contraction is a noun in active voice. The alternative reduction is similar. The option b is in passive voice. Thus all the three alternatives are incorrect. The word increase is a noun and is in active voice. The correct answer is c. 4. A favourite trick as we have seen with the synonyms is in the alternatives given a synonym may be given to confuse the candidates. Venerate: a) Respect b) condemn c) inculcate d) initiate The alternative 'a' respect is a synonym. One needs to be alert in such cases. The correct option here is b. Format 1 Select from the four alternatives, the word that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the word given in capital letters: 1. ABSTAIN a) Refuse b) oppose c) permit d) run away 2. CANDID a) Useless b) misleading c) worthless d) legal 3. IMPLICIT a) Satire b) baseless c) unexplained d) definite Answers: 1) c 2) b 3) d Explanation 1. 'Abstain' means to withhold oneself from an action or self-indulgence, whereas 'permit' refers to the act of not preventing, which is opposite in meaning. 2. 'Candid' refers to revealing or expressing one's true thoughts or feelings, whereas 'misleading' means something that is apt to give a false or mistaken impression. 3. 'Implicit' refers to something that is not revealed in words but can be inferred from the evidence, whereas 'definite' refers to expressions unclouded by any ambiguity. Format II In each of the following questions there are four pairs of words marked a-d. Each pair except one, consist of two words that are opposite in meaning to each other. Select the odd pair. 1. a) frantic/imperturbable b) fragile/flexible c) brittle/frail d) mediocre/distinctive 2. a) turbulent/tranquil b) deplete/revitalise c) terse/lengthy d) stigma/taint 3. a) persist/collapse b) persistent/occasional c) perimeter/centre d) forswear/disclaim Answers: 1) c 2) d 3) d PRACTICE TEST Choose the word which is nearly opposite in meaning to the given word. 1. Obey a) Attract b) disobey c) repel d) diffuse 2. Alleviation a) Lessening b) magnification c) intensify d) aggravation 3. Transparent a) Translucent b) vague c) blind d) opaque 4. Virtuous a) Vicious b) vulgar c) miserly d) insincere 5. Cynical a) Mature b) eccentric c) naïve d) crazy 6. Malevolent a) Kindly b) vacuous c) ambivalent d) primitive 7. Erudite a) Ignorant b) unknown c) illiterate d) unfamiliar 8. Morose a) Healthy b) gloomy c) haggard d) cheerful 9. Antipathy a) Indifference b) willingness c) fondness d) liking 10. Churlish a) Young b) cultured c) cowardly d) accommodating 11. Desultory a) Methodical b) random c) aimless d) indiscriminate 12. Parochial a) Broad-minded b) contradictory c) paranoid d) overriding 13. Fickle a) Belligerent b) constant c) disinterested d) proud 14. Disgruntled a) Contended b) detached c) obedient d) vigorous 15. Vibrant a) Feel aggrieved at b) occasional c) pale d) shabby 16. Forbidding a) Declaring b) forcing c) exposing d) inviting 17. Reprimand a) Bequeath b) petition c) praise d) scold 18. Lush a) Cramped b) ridiculous c) rampant d) sparse 19. Tentative a) Definite b) outdated c) preliminary d) universal 20. Passionate a) Abnormal b) apathetic c) oppressive d) superficial Each of the following items consists of a word in capital letters, followed by four words or group of words. Select the word or group of words that is most similar in meaning to the word in capital letters. 21. BEMOAN a) Lament b) Pacify c) Request d) Imagine 22. PROSAIC a) Dull and ordinary b) Slow and steady c) Grand d) Precious 23. ELOQUENT a) Ambiguous b) Graceful c) Fluent d) Productive 24. FRAIL a) Astute b) Delicate c) Foolish d) Immature 25. DERELICT a) Derogatory b) Depressing c) Ramshackle d) Sluggish 26. INJUNCTION a) Embargo b) Injustice c) Ruling d) Reproach 27. IMPLORE a) Entreat b) Put into Practice c) Interfere d) Transmit 28. GROTESQUE a) Boring b) Gripping c) Monstrous d) Obnoxious 29. PERTINENT a) Dependable b) Relevant c) Remarkable d) Sensible 30. ESCALATE a) Rise b) Diminish c) Roll on d) Spiral 31. FLIPPANT a) Disrespectful b) Polite c) Serious d) Wrong 32. ALACRITY a) Cleanliness b) Cleverness c) Eagerness d) Reluctance 33. BLEMISHES a) Qualities b) Faults c) Bruises d) Vices 34. INCESSANT a) Uncertain b) Ceaseless c) Unshaken d) Successive 35. CRYPTIC a) Elaborate b) Obscure c) A warning d) Cautionary 36. CLEMENCY a) Harshness b) Mercy c) Stiffness d) Seriousness 37. ABOMINABLE a) Disgusting b) Lovable c) Abusive d) Undisciplined 38. SCOWL a) Scar b) Frown c) Pimple d) Smile 39. EXONERATE a) Absolve b) Implicate c) Exempt d) Entangle 40. ARRAIGN a) Punish b) Pardon c) Summon d) Indict 41. SKIRMISH a) Fight b) Contact c) Enmity d) Relations 42. GAUCHE a) Vain b) Tactless c) Rich d) Polished 43. ABORTIVE a) Futile b) Unyielding c) Effective d) Methodical 44. SALUBRIOUS a) Healthy b) Outdoor c) Spacious d) Luxurious 45. CANTANKEROUS a) Talkative b) Aggressive c) Quarrelsome d) Obedient Key 1) b 2) d 3) d 4) a 5) a 6) a 7) a 8) d 9) c 10) b 11) a 12) a 13) b 14) a 15) c 16) d 17) c 18) d 19) a 20) b 21) a 22) a 23) c 24) b 25) c 26) a 27) a 28) c 29) b 30) a 31) a 32) c 33) b 34) b 35) b 36) b 37) a 38) b 39) a 40) d 41) a 42) b 43) a 44) a 45) c