Word Knowledge · Practice test 1

Correct answer: conclude

To commence is to begin, so conclude, meaning to bring to an end, is the opposite. The other three all mean to start and would fit a synonym question.

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Correct answer: hinder

To hamper progress is to slow it down, so hinder fits the mud described. Speed up means the opposite effect.

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Correct answer: turning

The Latin root vert/vers means to turn, so to reverse is to turn back and to convert is to turn into something else.

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Correct answer: passed

Elapse is used of time going by, so passed is the match. Expired is close in feel but applies to a deadline or a licence rather than to a stretch of time.

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Correct answer: ease

To facilitate a process is to make it easier to happen, so ease is the closest match. Block is the opposite effect.

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Correct answer: unstated

Something implicit is suggested rather than directly said, so unstated is the closest match. Explicit describes the opposite, a clearly stated meaning.

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Correct answer: withstand

To endure hardship is to bear it without giving up, so withstand is the closest match.

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Correct answer: unclear

Something ambiguous can be read in more than one way, so unclear is the closest meaning. An ambiguous order is one a soldier could reasonably follow in two different ways.

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Correct answer: victory

A triumph is a great success or victory, so victory is the closest match. Defeat is the opposite outcome.

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Correct answer: block

To thwart a mission is to prevent it from succeeding, so block is the closest match. Assist means the opposite effect.

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Correct answer: strengthen

To fortify a position is to strengthen it against attack, so strengthen is the closest match. Weaken is the opposite effect.

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Correct answer: meet

Roads or opinions that converge come together at one point, so meet is the closest match. Scatter describes the opposite movement, spreading apart.

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Correct answer: ease

To alleviate is to make something painful or troubling less severe, so ease is the closest match. The word is common in medical writing, as in alleviating pain.

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Correct answer: workable

A feasible plan can actually be carried out, so workable is the closest match. Impossible is the opposite quality.

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Correct answer: penalty payment

Paid for a violation, a fine is a sum of money charged as a penalty. The high-quality sense of fine does not fit this sentence.

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Correct answer: brag

To boast is to speak with excessive pride about oneself, so brag is the closest match.

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Correct answer: not

The prefix im-, a form of in-, means not, so impossible means not possible and impatient means not patient.

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Correct answer: ignite

To kindle brush is to set it burning, so ignite fits. Extinguish means the opposite, putting a fire out.

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Correct answer: mild

A gentle touch or voice is soft and mild rather than rough, so mild is the closest match. Harsh is the opposite quality.

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Correct answer: decrease

To subside is to die down or settle, so decrease is the match. The same word describes ground sinking, as in subsidence under a foundation.

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Correct answer: to see

The root vis means to see, so something visible can be seen, evidence is what can be seen to support a claim, and a vision is something seen. Video shares the same root.

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Correct answer: descend

To ascend is to go up, so descend, meaning to go down, is the opposite. The other three all mean to go up and would be right if the question asked for a synonym.

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Correct answer: apply

To exert pressure is to bring it to bear, so apply is the match. Absorb describes taking force in rather than putting it out.

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Correct answer: strict

Lenient means not strict, so strict itself is the direct opposite. The other choices describe traits a lenient judge might also have.

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Correct answer: against

Anti- means against or opposing: antifreeze works against freezing and an antiseptic works against infection.

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Correct answer: repair

To mend is to fix what is damaged so it can be used again. Replace is close but means putting in something new rather than repairing the original.

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Correct answer: assign

To delegate a task is to assign it to someone else to carry out, so assign is the closest match.

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Correct answer: weaken

To undermine an effort is to weaken it, often without being obvious about it, so weaken is the closest match.

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Correct answer: boring

A tedious task is long, repetitive, and dull, so boring is the closest meaning. Brief is the opposite of the length the word implies.

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Correct answer: determined

Resolute describes firm determination that does not waver, so determined fits the captain who held steady in the storm.

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Correct answer: escape

To flee is to run away quickly from danger, so escape is the closest match. Approach means moving toward something instead.

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Correct answer: believability

Credibility is the quality that makes a person or source believable, so believability is the closest match.

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Correct answer: definite

Explicit instructions spell everything out, so definite is the closest match. Its opposite, implicit, means understood without being said.

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Correct answer: to look

The root spect means to look, so to inspect is to look into something and a spectator is one who watches. Spectacles and inspection follow the same root.

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Correct answer: well or good

Bene- means well or good, so a benefit does you good and a benevolent person wishes others well. It is the direct opposite of mal-, which means bad.

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