Each question gives a word in capital letters, followed by five words labelled A) to E). Decide which one of the five words is most nearly OPPOSITE in meaning to the word in capital letters and write down that letter. Only one answer is correct in each question. In several questions, some wrong answers mean almost the same as the given word rather than the opposite, so read every option with care before deciding. Look at the worked example first, then answer the questions in order.
Worked example. Choose the word most nearly OPPOSITE in meaning to DILIGENT.
A) hardworking B) conscientious C) lazy D) thorough E) meticulous Answer: C. 'Diligent' means hardworking and thorough, showing steady effort. 'Lazy' means unwilling to work or make an effort, the opposite quality, so it is correct. 'Hardworking', 'conscientious', 'thorough' and 'meticulous' are all synonyms of 'diligent', describing the same effortful approach rather than its opposite, so a pupil who picks any of these has confused a matching word for an opposite one.
1
Choose the word most nearly OPPOSITE in meaning to HAPPY.
A) miserable
B) joyful
C) glad
D) content
E) excited
(Total for Question 1 is 1 mark)
2
Choose the word most nearly OPPOSITE in meaning to BUSY.
A) occupied
B) idle
C) energetic
D) hectic
E) engaged
(Total for Question 2 is 1 mark)
3
Choose the word most nearly OPPOSITE in meaning to TIDY.
A) neat
B) organised
C) messy
D) clean
E) ordered
(Total for Question 3 is 1 mark)
4
Choose the word most nearly OPPOSITE in meaning to BRIGHT.
A) shiny
B) vivid
C) colourful
D) dim
E) glowing
(Total for Question 4 is 1 mark)
5
Choose the word most nearly OPPOSITE in meaning to MODERN.
A) recent
B) advanced
C) stylish
D) current
E) outdated
(Total for Question 5 is 1 mark)
6
Choose the word most nearly OPPOSITE in meaning to SMOOTH.
A) rough
B) polished
C) glossy
D) sleek
E) curved
(Total for Question 6 is 1 mark)
7
Choose the word most nearly OPPOSITE in meaning to FORMAL.
A) official
B) casual
C) ceremonial
D) elegant
E) dignified
(Total for Question 7 is 1 mark)
8
Choose the word most nearly OPPOSITE in meaning to TIMID.
A) meek
B) shrinking
C) bold
D) hesitant
E) aloof
(Total for Question 8 is 1 mark)
9
Choose the word most nearly OPPOSITE in meaning to SIMPLE.
A) straightforward
B) basic
C) lengthy
D) complex
E) elementary
(Total for Question 9 is 1 mark)
10
Choose the word most nearly OPPOSITE in meaning to CONFINED.
A) restricted
B) enclosed
C) chilly
D) limited
E) boundless
(Total for Question 10 is 1 mark)
11
Choose the word most nearly OPPOSITE in meaning to SLUGGISH.
A) swift
B) lethargic
C) listless
D) talkative
E) plodding
(Total for Question 11 is 1 mark)
12
Choose the word most nearly OPPOSITE in meaning to FORBID.
A) ban
B) permit
C) prohibit
D) request
E) outlaw
(Total for Question 12 is 1 mark)
13
Choose the word most nearly OPPOSITE in meaning to EXPAND.
A) enlarge
B) swell
C) shrink
D) wander
E) inflate
(Total for Question 13 is 1 mark)
14
Choose the word most nearly OPPOSITE in meaning to PERILOUS.
A) hazardous
B) risky
C) harmful
D) safe
E) unstable
(Total for Question 14 is 1 mark)
15
Choose the word most nearly OPPOSITE in meaning to HUMBLE.
A) unassuming
B) unpretentious
C) deferential
D) curious
E) arrogant
(Total for Question 15 is 1 mark)
16
Choose the word most nearly OPPOSITE in meaning to SINCERE.
A) deceitful
B) earnest
C) heartfelt
D) boastful
E) truthful
(Total for Question 16 is 1 mark)
17
Choose the word most nearly OPPOSITE in meaning to VAGUE.
A) hazy
B) precise
C) ambiguous
D) chatty
E) sketchy
(Total for Question 17 is 1 mark)
18
Choose the word most nearly OPPOSITE in meaning to TINY.
A) petite
B) microscopic
C) massive
D) elderly
E) minuscule
(Total for Question 18 is 1 mark)
19
Choose the word most nearly OPPOSITE in meaning to AFFLUENT.
A) wealthy
B) prosperous
C) isolated
D) impoverished
E) rich
(Total for Question 19 is 1 mark)
20
Choose the word most nearly OPPOSITE in meaning to INSIGNIFICANT.
A) minor
B) negligible
C) unimportant
D) familiar
E) momentous
(Total for Question 20 is 1 mark)
21
Choose the word most nearly OPPOSITE in meaning to VERBOSE.
A) concise
B) wordy
C) long-winded
D) articulate
E) garrulous
(Total for Question 21 is 1 mark)
22
Choose the word most nearly OPPOSITE in meaning to STEADFAST.
A) resolute
B) fickle
C) unwavering
D) talented
E) firm
(Total for Question 22 is 1 mark)
23
Choose the word most nearly OPPOSITE in meaning to APATHETIC.
A) indifferent
B) unmoved
C) enthusiastic
D) intelligent
E) unconcerned
(Total for Question 23 is 1 mark)
24
Choose the word most nearly OPPOSITE in meaning to PRISTINE.
A) pure
B) immaculate
C) expensive
D) filthy
E) spotless
(Total for Question 24 is 1 mark)
25
Choose the word most nearly OPPOSITE in meaning to COMPETENT.
A) capable
B) skilled
C) popular
D) proficient
E) inept
(Total for Question 25 is 1 mark)
Mark scheme · EP.V13B Opposite in Meaning: Practice Set 2
Question 1
B1 A) miserable - means very unhappy and sorrowful, the opposite of 'happy'.
Answer: A) miserable
Question 2
B1 B) idle - means not working or doing nothing, the opposite of 'busy'.
Answer: B) idle
Question 3
B1 C) messy - means untidy and disorganised, the opposite of 'tidy'.
Answer: C) messy
Question 4
B1 D) dim - means giving out or having little light, the opposite of 'bright'.
Answer: D) dim
Question 5
B1 E) outdated - means no longer up to date or in fashion, the opposite of 'modern'.
Answer: E) outdated
Question 6
B1 A) rough - means having an uneven, bumpy surface, the opposite of 'smooth'.
Answer: A) rough
Question 7
B1 B) casual - means relaxed and informal, the opposite of 'formal'.
Answer: B) casual
Question 8
B1 C) bold - means confident and willing to take risks, the opposite of 'timid'.
Answer: C) bold
Question 9
B1 D) complex - means made up of many connected parts and difficult to understand, the opposite of 'simple'.
Answer: D) complex
Question 10
B1 E) boundless - means having no limits, the opposite of 'confined'.
Answer: E) boundless
Question 11
B1 A) swift - means moving or acting quickly, the opposite of 'sluggish'.
Answer: A) swift
Question 12
B1 B) permit - means to allow something to happen, the opposite of 'forbid'.
Answer: B) permit
Question 13
B1 C) shrink - means to become smaller, the opposite of 'expand'.
Answer: C) shrink
Question 14
B1 D) safe - means free from danger, the opposite of 'perilous'.
Answer: D) safe
Question 15
B1 E) arrogant - means having an exaggerated sense of one's own importance, the opposite of 'humble'.
Answer: E) arrogant
Question 16
B1 A) deceitful - means intending to mislead or deceive others, the opposite of 'sincere'.
Answer: A) deceitful
Question 17
B1 B) precise - means exact and clearly stated, the opposite of 'vague'.
Answer: B) precise
Question 18
B1 C) massive - means extremely large in size, the opposite of 'tiny'.
Answer: C) massive
Question 19
B1 D) impoverished - means extremely poor, the opposite of 'affluent'.
Answer: D) impoverished
Question 20
B1 E) momentous - means of great importance, the opposite of 'insignificant'.
Answer: E) momentous
Question 21
B1 A) concise - means giving information clearly in few words, the opposite of 'verbose'.
Answer: A) concise
Question 22
B1 B) fickle - means changing frequently and unpredictably in loyalty or opinion, the opposite of 'steadfast'.
Answer: B) fickle
Question 23
B1 C) enthusiastic - means showing eager interest and enjoyment, the opposite of 'apathetic'.
Answer: C) enthusiastic
Question 24
B1 D) filthy - means extremely dirty, the opposite of 'pristine'.
Answer: D) filthy
Question 25
B1 E) inept - means lacking the skill to do something well, the opposite of 'competent'.