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11+ · Verbal Reasoning

EP.V53 Verbal Reasoning: Closest and Opposite Meaning Set 3

GL ASSESSMENT EP.V53 · Calculators not allowed · about 30 minutes

Total Marks

Name: _______________________________ Date: ____ / ____ / ______

This is a 30-minute Verbal Reasoning depth practice on meaning, styled on GL Assessment 11+ multiple-choice papers. It is a third, all-new set of meaning-focused questions on this topic. There are 40 questions across five sections: Closest Meaning, Opposite Meaning, Odd One Out by Meaning, Shades of Meaning and Word in Context. Every question is worth 1 mark, for 40 marks in total. Difficulty increases through each section and across the pack as a whole, finishing with scholarship-level stretch questions built around words with more than one meaning. For each question, choose the ONE best answer from the options A to E. No calculator is allowed. Read every word and instruction carefully: several sections need close attention to precise shades of meaning or to how a word is being used in a sentence, so check exactly what each question is asking before choosing.

Worked example. Worked example (Closest Meaning): Choose the word closest in meaning to APPREHENSIVE. A) confident B) nervous C) angry D) excited E) careless Answer: B. 'Apprehensive' means anxious or fearful about something that may happen. 'Nervous' means the same, feeling worried or uneasy, so it is correct. 'Confident' means the opposite, feeling sure of oneself. 'Angry' and 'excited' describe different, unrelated feelings, and 'careless' describes a lack of attention rather than a feeling of worry. Apply this same careful approach throughout the pack, even as the sections move from closest and opposite meaning to identifying the odd one out by meaning, judging the strength or shade of a word's meaning, and working out a word's exact meaning as used in a sentence: always check the precise meaning intended before choosing an option, and rule out any word that only sounds similar or is loosely associated rather than being the true match.

SECTION 1: CLOSEST MEANING (7 minutes, 10 questions)

Each question gives a word in capital letters. Choose the ONE word from the options that means most nearly the same as the word given.

Q1. Choose the word closest in meaning to HASTY.

A) careful
B) hurried
C) calm
D) friendly
E) quiet

(Total for Question 1 is 1 mark)

(CLOSEST MEANING) Q2. Choose the word closest in meaning to FEEBLE.

A) strong
B) weak
C) tall
D) loud
E) fast

(Total for Question 2 is 1 mark)

(CLOSEST MEANING) Q3. Choose the word closest in meaning to STERN.

A) strict
B) kind
C) funny
D) shy
E) slow

(Total for Question 3 is 1 mark)

(CLOSEST MEANING) Q4. Choose the word closest in meaning to PLEASANT.

A) unpleasant
B) agreeable
C) boring
D) noisy
E) expensive

(Total for Question 4 is 1 mark)

(CLOSEST MEANING) Q5. Choose the word closest in meaning to CLUMSY.

A) graceful
B) awkward
C) careful
D) quick
E) tidy

(Total for Question 5 is 1 mark)

(CLOSEST MEANING) Q6. Choose the word closest in meaning to STUBBORN.

A) flexible
B) headstrong
C) shy
D) friendly
E) careless

(Total for Question 6 is 1 mark)

(CLOSEST MEANING) Q7. Choose the word closest in meaning to MOROSE.

A) cheerful
B) sullen
C) confused
D) proud
E) excited

(Total for Question 7 is 1 mark)

(CLOSEST MEANING) Q8. Choose the word closest in meaning to TACTFUL.

A) rude
B) diplomatic
C) shy
D) loud
E) careless

(Total for Question 8 is 1 mark)

(CLOSEST MEANING) Q9. Choose the word closest in meaning to VIGILANT.

A) careless
B) watchful
C) tired
D) friendly
E) confused

(Total for Question 9 is 1 mark)

(CLOSEST MEANING) Q10. Choose the word closest in meaning to RESILIENT.

A) fragile
B) hardy
C) nervous
D) gentle
E) careless

(Total for Question 10 is 1 mark)

SECTION 2: OPPOSITE MEANING (7 minutes, 10 questions)

Each question gives a word in capital letters. Choose the ONE word from the options that means most nearly OPPOSITE to the word given.

Q1. Choose the word most nearly opposite in meaning to RIGID.

A) stiff
B) firm
C) flexible
D) strong
E) heavy

(Total for Question 11 is 1 mark)

(OPPOSITE MEANING) Q2. Choose the word most nearly opposite in meaning to FLIMSY.

A) sturdy
B) thin
C) cheap
D) light
E) plain

(Total for Question 12 is 1 mark)

(OPPOSITE MEANING) Q3. Choose the word most nearly opposite in meaning to THRIFTY.

A) careful
B) modest
C) wasteful
D) poor
E) mean

(Total for Question 13 is 1 mark)

(OPPOSITE MEANING) Q4. Choose the word most nearly opposite in meaning to DECEITFUL.

A) cunning
B) honest
C) secretive
D) clever
E) careful

(Total for Question 14 is 1 mark)

(OPPOSITE MEANING) Q5. Choose the word most nearly opposite in meaning to NEGLECT.

A) ignore
B) forget
C) nurture
D) abandon
E) damage

(Total for Question 15 is 1 mark)

(OPPOSITE MEANING) Q6. Choose the word most nearly opposite in meaning to PROSPER.

A) succeed
B) grow
C) improve
D) decline
E) survive

(Total for Question 16 is 1 mark)

(OPPOSITE MEANING) Q7. Choose the word most nearly opposite in meaning to IMPULSIVE.

A) hasty
B) sudden
C) energetic
D) deliberate
E) excited

(Total for Question 17 is 1 mark)

(OPPOSITE MEANING) Q8. Choose the word most nearly opposite in meaning to CONCISE.

A) short
B) clear
C) wordy
D) simple
E) quiet

(Total for Question 18 is 1 mark)

(OPPOSITE MEANING) Q9. Choose the word most nearly opposite in meaning to DILAPIDATED.

A) crumbling
B) old
C) well-kept
D) empty
E) haunted

(Total for Question 19 is 1 mark)

(OPPOSITE MEANING) Q10. Choose the word most nearly opposite in meaning to INDIFFERENT.

A) unconcerned
B) calm
C) confused
D) enthusiastic
E) tired

(Total for Question 20 is 1 mark)

SECTION 3: ODD ONE OUT BY MEANING (6 minutes, 8 questions)

Four of the five words in each question share a very similar meaning. Choose the ONE word that does NOT belong with the others.

Q1. Which word does not belong?

A) leisurely
B) rapid
C) brisk
D) speedy
E) prompt

(Total for Question 21 is 1 mark)

(ODD ONE OUT BY MEANING) Q2. Which word does not belong?

A) truthful
B) cunning
C) forthright
D) trustworthy
E) credible

(Total for Question 22 is 1 mark)

(ODD ONE OUT BY MEANING) Q3. Which word does not belong?

A) astute
B) shrewd
C) obtuse
D) perceptive
E) brilliant

(Total for Question 23 is 1 mark)

(ODD ONE OUT BY MEANING) Q4. Which word does not belong?

A) hushed
B) muted
C) subdued
D) deafening
E) muffled

(Total for Question 24 is 1 mark)

(ODD ONE OUT BY MEANING) Q5. Which word does not belong?

A) escalate
B) intensify
C) amplify
D) heighten
E) diminish

(Total for Question 25 is 1 mark)

(ODD ONE OUT BY MEANING) Q6. Which word does not belong?

A) impudent
B) courteous
C) civil
D) gracious
E) considerate

(Total for Question 26 is 1 mark)

(ODD ONE OUT BY MEANING) Q7. Which word does not belong?

A) proficient
B) amateurish
C) skilful
D) adept
E) accomplished

(Total for Question 27 is 1 mark)

(ODD ONE OUT BY MEANING) Q8. Which word does not belong?

A) arduous
B) strenuous
C) effortless
D) gruelling
E) demanding

(Total for Question 28 is 1 mark)

SECTION 4: SHADES OF MEANING (5 minutes, 6 questions)

Each question asks you to choose the word that best matches a specific degree or strength of meaning, compared with a given word.

Q1. Which of these words describes a much gentler wind than 'gale'?

A) hurricane
B) breeze
C) squall
D) gust
E) tempest

(Total for Question 29 is 1 mark)

(SHADES OF MEANING) Q2. Which of these words describes a much stronger hunger than 'peckish'?

A) satisfied
B) full
C) famished
D) content
E) queasy

(Total for Question 30 is 1 mark)

(SHADES OF MEANING) Q3. Which of these words describes light far brighter than 'dim'?

A) dazzling
B) faint
C) shadowy
D) murky
E) dusky

(Total for Question 31 is 1 mark)

(SHADES OF MEANING) Q4. Which of these words describes a far greater degree of crowdedness than 'busy'?

A) deserted
B) empty
C) heaving
D) sparse
E) quiet

(Total for Question 32 is 1 mark)

(SHADES OF MEANING) Q5. Which of these words describes intelligence far beyond merely 'clever', suggesting genius-level ability?

A) bright
B) sharp
C) brilliant
D) capable
E) adequate

(Total for Question 33 is 1 mark)

(SHADES OF MEANING) Q6. Which of these words describes only a slight, passing sadness, much milder than 'devastated'?

A) heartbroken
B) crushed
C) wistful
D) grief-stricken
E) inconsolable

(Total for Question 34 is 1 mark)

SECTION 5: WORD IN CONTEXT (5 minutes, 6 questions)

Each question gives a sentence containing a word with more than one possible meaning. Choose the ONE option that gives the meaning of the word AS USED in that sentence.

Q1. In the sentence below, what does the word 'bank' mean?

'After heavy rain, the river burst its bank and flooded the field.'

A) a financial institution
B) the raised ground along the edge of a river
C) to rely on something
D) a row of switches or lights
E) to tilt to one side

(Total for Question 35 is 1 mark)

(WORD IN CONTEXT) Q2. In the sentence below, what does the word 'watch' mean?

'The security guard, Declan O'Brien, was told to watch the entrance carefully all night.'

A) a small timepiece worn on the wrist
B) to keep guard over or observe closely
C) a fixed period of duty
D) to be careful about something
E) a small group of soldiers on duty

(Total for Question 36 is 1 mark)

(WORD IN CONTEXT) Q3. In the sentence below, what does the word 'yield' mean?

'Farmer Nadia Kowalski hoped the new seeds would yield a bigger harvest this autumn.'

A) to give way under pressure
B) to surrender
C) to produce or give forth
D) the interest earned on an investment
E) to bend without breaking

(Total for Question 37 is 1 mark)

(WORD IN CONTEXT) Q4. In the sentence below, what does the word 'novel' mean?

'The scientist, Ravi Chandra, proposed a novel solution that nobody had tried before.'

A) a long fictional story
B) new and original
C) strange or frightening
D) unnecessarily complicated
E) already well tested

(Total for Question 38 is 1 mark)

(WORD IN CONTEXT) Q5. In the sentence below, what does the word 'pupil' mean?

'Ffion Pritchard's pupil grew smaller as the bright light shone into her eye.'

A) a school student
B) the round opening in the eye that controls how much light enters
C) an apprentice learning a trade
D) a follower of a famous teacher
E) a small dark stain

(Total for Question 39 is 1 mark)

(WORD IN CONTEXT) Q6. In the sentence below, what does the word 'current' mean?

'Zainab Rahman felt the strong current pull her raft further from the riverbank.'

A) happening now
B) a flow of water or air moving in a particular direction
C) up to date
D) an electrical charge
E) a popular trend

(Total for Question 40 is 1 mark)

Mark scheme · EP.V53 Verbal Reasoning: Closest and Opposite Meaning Set 3

Question 1

B1 B) hurried - means done quickly, without enough care, the same core meaning as 'hasty'.
Answer: B) hurried

Question 2

B1 B) weak - means lacking strength, the same core meaning as 'feeble'.
Answer: B) weak

Question 3

B1 A) strict - means serious and demanding obedience, the same core meaning as 'stern'.
Answer: A) strict

Question 4

B1 B) agreeable - means pleasing or enjoyable, the same core meaning as 'pleasant'.
Answer: B) agreeable

Question 5

B1 B) awkward - means lacking skill or grace in movement, the same core meaning as 'clumsy'.
Answer: B) awkward

Question 6

B1 B) headstrong - means determined to have one's own way, the same core meaning as 'stubborn'.
Answer: B) headstrong

Question 7

B1 B) sullen - means gloomy and bad-tempered, the same core meaning as 'morose'.
Answer: B) sullen

Question 8

B1 B) diplomatic - means careful not to upset or offend others, the same core meaning as 'tactful'.
Answer: B) diplomatic

Question 9

B1 B) watchful - means keeping careful watch for danger, the same core meaning as 'vigilant'.
Answer: B) watchful

Question 10

B1 B) hardy - means able to recover quickly from difficulty, the same core meaning as 'resilient'.
Answer: B) hardy

Question 11

B1 C) flexible - is the direct opposite of 'rigid' (fixed and unbending).
Answer: C) flexible

Question 12

B1 A) sturdy - is the direct opposite of 'flimsy' (weak and easily broken).
Answer: A) sturdy

Question 13

B1 C) wasteful - is the direct opposite of 'thrifty' (careful with money).
Answer: C) wasteful

Question 14

B1 B) honest - is the direct opposite of 'deceitful' (misleading or dishonest).
Answer: B) honest

Question 15

B1 C) nurture - is the direct opposite of 'neglect' (to care for and encourage growth).
Answer: C) nurture

Question 16

B1 D) decline - is the direct opposite of 'prosper' (to thrive and do well).
Answer: D) decline

Question 17

B1 D) deliberate - is the direct opposite of 'impulsive' (acting without thinking first).
Answer: D) deliberate

Question 18

B1 C) wordy - is the direct opposite of 'concise' (expressed in few words).
Answer: C) wordy

Question 19

B1 C) well-kept - is the direct opposite of 'dilapidated' (falling into disrepair).
Answer: C) well-kept

Question 20

B1 D) enthusiastic - is the direct opposite of 'indifferent' (showing no interest or concern).
Answer: D) enthusiastic

Question 21

B1 A) leisurely - means slow and unhurried, the opposite of the fast pace shared by the other four words.
Answer: A) leisurely

Question 22

B1 B) cunning - means clever in a sly or deceptive way, the opposite of the honesty shared by the other four words.
Answer: B) cunning

Question 23

B1 C) obtuse - means slow to understand, the opposite of the sharp intelligence shared by the other four words.
Answer: C) obtuse

Question 24

B1 D) deafening - means extremely loud, the opposite of the quietness shared by the other four words.
Answer: D) deafening

Question 25

B1 E) diminish - means to become smaller or less, the opposite of the increase shared by the other four words.
Answer: E) diminish

Question 26

B1 A) impudent - means rude and disrespectful, the opposite of the politeness shared by the other four words.
Answer: A) impudent

Question 27

B1 B) amateurish - means lacking skill or expertise, the opposite of the ability shared by the other four words.
Answer: B) amateurish

Question 28

B1 C) effortless - means requiring no effort, the opposite of the great difficulty shared by the other four words.
Answer: C) effortless

Question 29

B1 B) breeze - describes a light, gentle wind, far weaker than 'gale'.
Answer: B) breeze

Question 30

B1 C) famished - describes extreme hunger, far stronger than the mild hunger of 'peckish'.
Answer: C) famished

Question 31

B1 A) dazzling - describes light so bright it is difficult to look at, far stronger than 'dim'.
Answer: A) dazzling

Question 32

B1 C) heaving - describes a place packed with people, far more crowded than 'busy'.
Answer: C) heaving

Question 33

B1 C) brilliant - describes exceptional, genius-level intelligence, far stronger than 'clever'.
Answer: C) brilliant

Question 34

B1 C) wistful - describes a gentle, faint sadness or longing, far milder than 'devastated'.
Answer: C) wistful

Question 35

B1 B) the raised ground along the edge of a river - in this sentence 'bank' refers to the land at the river's edge that held the water back.
Answer: B) the raised ground along the edge of a river

Question 36

B1 B) to keep guard over or observe closely - in this sentence 'watch' means to observe the entrance closely to keep it safe.
Answer: B) to keep guard over or observe closely

Question 37

B1 C) to produce or give forth - in this sentence 'yield' means to produce a harvest.
Answer: C) to produce or give forth

Question 38

B1 B) new and original - in this sentence 'novel' describes a solution nobody had tried before.
Answer: B) new and original

Question 39

B1 B) the round opening in the eye that controls how much light enters - in this sentence 'pupil' refers to the part of the eye reacting to bright light.
Answer: B) the round opening in the eye that controls how much light enters

Question 40

B1 B) a flow of water or air moving in a particular direction - in this sentence 'current' refers to the moving water pulling the raft.
Answer: B) a flow of water or air moving in a particular direction

Verbal Reasoning: Closest and Opposite Meaning Set 3 - Worksheets, Questions and Revision