In each question a word is given in capital letters, followed by five words labelled A) to E). Decide which one of the five words is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters and write down that letter. Only one answer is correct in each question. Several of the wrong answers may look like plausible partners for the given word, so read every option carefully before you decide. Study the worked example before you begin, then work through the questions in order.
Worked example. Choose the word closest in meaning to COLD.
A) hot B) chilly C) sunny D) cloudy E) breezy Answer: B. 'Chilly' means unpleasantly cold, so it is closest in meaning to 'cold'. 'Hot' is the opposite. 'Sunny', 'cloudy' and 'breezy' each describe a different aspect of the weather, not temperature, so none of them means the same as 'cold'.
1
Choose the word closest in meaning to EASY.
A) simple
B) difficult
C) round
D) short
E) bright
(Total for Question 1 is 1 mark)
2
Choose the word closest in meaning to SHUT.
A) open
B) closed
C) broken
D) thick
E) curved
(Total for Question 2 is 1 mark)
3
Choose the word closest in meaning to NEAR.
A) far
B) steep
C) close
D) deep
E) flat
(Total for Question 3 is 1 mark)
4
Choose the word closest in meaning to DIRTY.
A) clean
B) shiny
C) round
D) filthy
E) square
(Total for Question 4 is 1 mark)
5
Choose the word closest in meaning to HONEST.
A) dishonest
B) clever
C) polite
D) silly
E) truthful
(Total for Question 5 is 1 mark)
6
Choose the word closest in meaning to RICH.
A) affluent
B) needy
C) famous
D) powerful
E) modest
(Total for Question 6 is 1 mark)
7
Choose the word closest in meaning to FIERCE.
A) gentle
B) ferocious
C) loyal
D) swift
E) foolish
(Total for Question 7 is 1 mark)
8
Choose the word closest in meaning to HARSH.
A) mild
B) soft
C) severe
D) distant
E) humorous
(Total for Question 8 is 1 mark)
9
Choose the word closest in meaning to PRUDENT.
A) reckless
B) foolish
C) curious
D) sensible
E) hesitant
(Total for Question 9 is 1 mark)
10
Choose the word closest in meaning to STINGY.
A) lavish
B) modest
C) thoughtful
D) gloomy
E) miserly
(Total for Question 10 is 1 mark)
11
Choose the word closest in meaning to NAIVE.
A) innocent
B) sophisticated
C) curious
D) suspicious
E) ignorant
(Total for Question 11 is 1 mark)
12
Choose the word closest in meaning to CORDIAL.
A) cold
B) genial
C) formal
D) polite
E) serious
(Total for Question 12 is 1 mark)
13
Choose the word closest in meaning to LUCID.
A) muddled
B) elaborate
C) coherent
D) lengthy
E) mysterious
(Total for Question 13 is 1 mark)
14
Choose the word closest in meaning to PRAGMATIC.
A) idealistic
B) theoretical
C) optimistic
D) practical
E) rigid
(Total for Question 14 is 1 mark)
15
Choose the word closest in meaning to INSOLENT.
A) respectful
B) modest
C) sincere
D) assertive
E) disrespectful
(Total for Question 15 is 1 mark)
16
Choose the word closest in meaning to IMPOVERISHED.
A) destitute
B) prosperous
C) thrifty
D) isolated
E) content
(Total for Question 16 is 1 mark)
17
Choose the word closest in meaning to CONCEITED.
A) modest
B) vain
C) assured
D) anxious
E) polite
(Total for Question 17 is 1 mark)
18
Choose the word closest in meaning to TREACHEROUS.
A) loyal
B) cowardly
C) disloyal
D) forgetful
E) clumsy
(Total for Question 18 is 1 mark)
19
Choose the word closest in meaning to METHODICAL.
A) chaotic
B) clever
C) hasty
D) systematic
E) creative
(Total for Question 19 is 1 mark)
20
Choose the word closest in meaning to FASTIDIOUS.
A) slapdash
B) relaxed
C) modest
D) curious
E) particular
(Total for Question 20 is 1 mark)
21
Choose the word closest in meaning to OBSEQUIOUS.
A) servile
B) rebellious
C) haughty
D) polite
E) anxious
(Total for Question 21 is 1 mark)
22
Choose the word closest in meaning to CIRCUMSPECT.
A) reckless
B) wary
C) impulsive
D) honest
E) curious
(Total for Question 22 is 1 mark)
23
Choose the word closest in meaning to INTREPID.
A) cowardly
B) reckless
C) fearless
D) wary
E) foolish
(Total for Question 23 is 1 mark)
24
Choose the word closest in meaning to INSCRUTABLE.
A) obvious
B) honest
C) sincere
D) mysterious
E) confused
(Total for Question 24 is 1 mark)
25
Choose the word closest in meaning to EPHEMERAL.
A) everlasting
B) beautiful
C) delayed
D) recurring
E) momentary
(Total for Question 25 is 1 mark)
Mark scheme · EP.V4B Closest in Meaning: Practice Set 2
Question 1
B1 A) simple - means not difficult or complicated, the same core meaning as 'easy'.
Answer: A) simple
Question 2
B1 B) closed - means not open, the same core meaning as 'shut'.
Answer: B) closed
Question 3
B1 C) close - means a short distance away, the same core meaning as 'near'.
Answer: C) close
Question 4
B1 D) filthy - means very dirty, the same core meaning as 'dirty'.
Answer: D) filthy
Question 5
B1 E) truthful - means telling the truth, the same core meaning as 'honest'.
Answer: E) truthful
Question 6
B1 A) affluent - means having a great deal of money, the same core meaning as 'rich'.
Answer: A) affluent
Question 7
B1 B) ferocious - means savagely fierce or violent, the same core meaning as 'fierce'.
Answer: B) ferocious
Question 8
B1 C) severe - means strict or unpleasantly extreme, the same core meaning as 'harsh'.
Answer: C) severe
Question 9
B1 D) sensible - means showing good judgement, especially about practical matters, the same core meaning as 'prudent'.
Answer: D) sensible
Question 10
B1 E) miserly - means unwilling to spend or give money, the same core meaning as 'stingy'.
Answer: E) miserly
Question 11
B1 A) innocent - means lacking experience or worldly wisdom and so easily deceived, the same core meaning as 'naive'.
Answer: A) innocent
Question 12
B1 B) genial - means warm and friendly in manner, the same core meaning as 'cordial'.
Answer: B) genial
Question 13
B1 C) coherent - means expressed clearly and logically, easy to follow, the same core meaning as 'lucid'.
Answer: C) coherent
Question 14
B1 D) practical - means dealing with things in a sensible, realistic way, the same core meaning as 'pragmatic'.
Answer: D) practical
Question 15
B1 E) disrespectful - means rude and showing a lack of respect, the same core meaning as 'insolent'.
Answer: E) disrespectful
Question 16
B1 A) destitute - means extremely poor, lacking basic necessities, the same core meaning as 'impoverished'.
Answer: A) destitute
Question 17
B1 B) vain - means having an excessively high opinion of oneself, the same core meaning as 'conceited'.
Answer: B) vain
Question 18
B1 C) disloyal - means guilty of betraying someone's trust, the same core meaning as 'treacherous'.
Answer: C) disloyal
Question 19
B1 D) systematic - means done according to a fixed, orderly plan, the same core meaning as 'methodical'.
Answer: D) systematic
Question 20
B1 E) particular - means very attentive to accuracy and detail, hard to please, the same core meaning as 'fastidious'.
Answer: E) particular
Question 21
B1 A) servile - means showing an excessive willingness to obey or please others, the same core meaning as 'obsequious'.
Answer: A) servile
Question 22
B1 B) wary - means cautious and unwilling to take risks, the same core meaning as 'circumspect'.
Answer: B) wary
Question 23
B1 C) fearless - means showing no fear of danger, the same core meaning as 'intrepid'.
Answer: C) fearless
Question 24
B1 D) mysterious - means impossible to read or interpret, the same core meaning as 'inscrutable'.
Answer: D) mysterious
Question 25
B1 E) momentary - means lasting for only a very short time, the same core meaning as 'ephemeral'.