This is a 25-minute Verbal Reasoning depth practice on meaning, styled on GL Assessment 11+ multiple-choice papers. It is a fourth, all-new set of meaning-focused questions on this topic, going deeper on closest meaning, opposite meaning and odd-one-out reasoning. There are 32 questions across three sections: Closest Meaning, Opposite Meaning and Odd One Out by Meaning. Every question is worth 1 mark, for 32 marks in total. Difficulty increases through the pack, finishing with the most demanding odd-one-out questions, which are built around closely related but subtly different shades of meaning. For each question, choose the ONE best answer from the options A to E. No calculator is allowed. Read every word carefully, especially in the final section, where more than one word in a group may look correct at first glance.
Worked example. Worked example (Closest Meaning): Choose the word closest in meaning to TEDIOUS.
A) exciting B) tiresome C) short D) simple E) loud Answer: B. 'Tedious' means dull and long, causing boredom or fatigue. 'Tiresome' means the same, something wearisome and dull, so it is correct. 'Exciting' means the opposite, full of interest. 'Short' describes length, not how interesting something is; 'simple' describes difficulty; and 'loud' describes volume, none of which match the meaning of 'tedious'. Apply this same careful approach throughout the pack, even as the sections move from closest meaning and opposite meaning to picking out the odd one out by meaning: always check the precise, core meaning of the word given before choosing an option, and rule out any word that only sounds similar or is loosely associated rather than being the true match.
1
SECTION 1: CLOSEST MEANING (9 minutes, 12 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 ANXIOUS.
A) nervous
B) confident
C) angry
D) sleepy
E) proud
(Total for Question 1 is 1 mark)
2
(CLOSEST MEANING) Q2. Choose the word closest in meaning to GIGANTIC.
A) enormous
B) tiny
C) narrow
D) light
E) short
(Total for Question 2 is 1 mark)
3
(CLOSEST MEANING) Q3. Choose the word closest in meaning to POLITE.
A) courteous
B) rude
C) shy
D) loud
E) careless
(Total for Question 3 is 1 mark)
4
(CLOSEST MEANING) Q4. Choose the word closest in meaning to GLOOMY.
A) dreary
B) cheerful
C) bright
D) busy
E) calm
(Total for Question 4 is 1 mark)
5
(CLOSEST MEANING) Q5. Choose the word closest in meaning to COURAGEOUS.
A) valiant
B) timid
C) careless
D) cheerful
E) calm
(Total for Question 5 is 1 mark)
6
(CLOSEST MEANING) Q6. Choose the word closest in meaning to THOROUGH.
A) rigorous
B) careless
C) quick
D) shy
E) loud
(Total for Question 6 is 1 mark)
7
(CLOSEST MEANING) Q7. Choose the word closest in meaning to PECULIAR.
A) strange
B) normal
C) friendly
D) loud
E) careful
(Total for Question 7 is 1 mark)
8
(CLOSEST MEANING) Q8. Choose the word closest in meaning to PERSISTENT.
A) unrelenting
B) hesitant
C) careless
D) cheerful
E) quiet
(Total for Question 8 is 1 mark)
9
(CLOSEST MEANING) Q9. Choose the word closest in meaning to ECCENTRIC.
A) quirky
B) ordinary
C) formal
D) careful
E) polite
(Total for Question 9 is 1 mark)
10
(CLOSEST MEANING) Q10. Choose the word closest in meaning to ARROGANT.
A) haughty
B) modest
C) shy
D) careful
E) generous
(Total for Question 10 is 1 mark)
11
(CLOSEST MEANING) Q11. Choose the word closest in meaning to INGENIOUS.
A) inventive
B) foolish
C) careless
D) dull
E) ordinary
(Total for Question 11 is 1 mark)
12
(CLOSEST MEANING) Q12. Choose the word closest in meaning to DESPONDENT.
A) dejected
B) cheerful
C) confident
D) excited
E) calm
(Total for Question 12 is 1 mark)
13
SECTION 2: OPPOSITE MEANING (9 minutes, 12 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 SCARCE.
A) plentiful
B) rare
C) limited
D) short
E) meagre
(Total for Question 13 is 1 mark)
14
(OPPOSITE MEANING) Q2. Choose the word most nearly opposite in meaning to SHALLOW.
A) deep
B) thin
C) narrow
D) low
E) flat
(Total for Question 14 is 1 mark)
15
(OPPOSITE MEANING) Q3. Choose the word most nearly opposite in meaning to RECKLESS.
A) careful
B) brave
C) fast
D) loud
E) foolish
(Total for Question 15 is 1 mark)
16
(OPPOSITE MEANING) Q4. Choose the word most nearly opposite in meaning to EXTRAVAGANT.
A) economical
B) wasteful
C) generous
D) careless
E) rich
(Total for Question 16 is 1 mark)
17
(OPPOSITE MEANING) Q5. Choose the word most nearly opposite in meaning to TRIVIAL.
A) significant
B) minor
C) small
D) silly
E) plain
(Total for Question 17 is 1 mark)
18
(OPPOSITE MEANING) Q6. Choose the word most nearly opposite in meaning to GRACEFUL.
A) ungainly
B) elegant
C) swift
D) careful
E) quiet
(Total for Question 18 is 1 mark)
19
(OPPOSITE MEANING) Q7. Choose the word most nearly opposite in meaning to LETHARGIC.
A) energetic
B) tired
C) slow
D) sleepy
E) calm
(Total for Question 19 is 1 mark)
20
(OPPOSITE MEANING) Q8. Choose the word most nearly opposite in meaning to OPULENT.
A) austere
B) rich
C) fancy
D) grand
E) costly
(Total for Question 20 is 1 mark)
21
(OPPOSITE MEANING) Q9. Choose the word most nearly opposite in meaning to EVASIVE.
A) direct
B) secretive
C) vague
D) shy
E) cunning
(Total for Question 21 is 1 mark)
22
(OPPOSITE MEANING) Q10. Choose the word most nearly opposite in meaning to BELLIGERENT.
A) peaceable
B) aggressive
C) loud
D) rude
E) fierce
(Total for Question 22 is 1 mark)
23
(OPPOSITE MEANING) Q11. Choose the word most nearly opposite in meaning to INSATIABLE.
A) content
B) hungry
C) greedy
D) endless
E) demanding
(Total for Question 23 is 1 mark)
24
(OPPOSITE MEANING) Q12. Choose the word most nearly opposite in meaning to PERFUNCTORY.
A) thorough
B) quick
C) careless
D) simple
E) casual
(Total for Question 24 is 1 mark)
25
SECTION 3: ODD ONE OUT BY MEANING (7 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) gallant
B) timorous
C) dauntless
D) plucky
E) valorous
(Total for Question 25 is 1 mark)
26
(ODD ONE OUT BY MEANING) Q2. Which word does not belong?
A) charitable
B) miserly
C) munificent
D) philanthropic
E) unstinting
(Total for Question 26 is 1 mark)
27
(ODD ONE OUT BY MEANING) Q3. Which word does not belong?
A) prosperous
B) impecunious
C) well-heeled
D) moneyed
E) flush
(Total for Question 27 is 1 mark)
28
(ODD ONE OUT BY MEANING) Q4. Which word does not belong?
A) immaculate
B) squalid
C) unblemished
D) spotless
E) hygienic
(Total for Question 28 is 1 mark)
29
(ODD ONE OUT BY MEANING) Q5. Which word does not belong?
A) irascible
B) placid
C) tetchy
D) choleric
E) testy
(Total for Question 29 is 1 mark)
30
(ODD ONE OUT BY MEANING) Q6. Which word does not belong?
A) inquisitive
B) listless
C) avid
D) keen
E) eager
(Total for Question 30 is 1 mark)
31
(ODD ONE OUT BY MEANING) Q7. Which word does not belong?
A) resplendent
B) unsightly
C) radiant
D) exquisite
E) comely
(Total for Question 31 is 1 mark)
32
(ODD ONE OUT BY MEANING) Q8. Which word does not belong?
A) robust
B) infirm
C) hale
D) vigorous
E) sprightly
(Total for Question 32 is 1 mark)
Mark scheme · EP.V65 Verbal Reasoning: Meaning Set 4
Question 1
B1 A) nervous - means feeling worried or uneasy, the same core meaning as 'anxious'.
Answer: A) nervous
Question 2
B1 A) enormous - means extremely large, the same core meaning as 'gigantic'.
Answer: A) enormous
Question 3
B1 A) courteous - means showing good manners and respect, the same core meaning as 'polite'.
Answer: A) courteous
Question 4
B1 A) dreary - means dull and dismal, the same core meaning as 'gloomy'.
Answer: A) dreary
Question 5
B1 A) valiant - means showing courage, the same core meaning as 'courageous'.
Answer: A) valiant
Question 6
B1 A) rigorous - means done carefully and in great detail, the same core meaning as 'thorough'.
Answer: A) rigorous
Question 7
B1 A) strange - means odd or unusual, the same core meaning as 'peculiar'.
Answer: A) strange
Question 8
B1 A) unrelenting - means continuing firmly despite difficulty, the same core meaning as 'persistent'.
Answer: A) unrelenting
Question 9
B1 A) quirky - means unusual or unconventional in character, the same core meaning as 'eccentric'.
Answer: A) quirky
Question 10
B1 A) haughty - means having an exaggerated sense of one's own importance, the same core meaning as 'arrogant'.
Answer: A) haughty
Question 11
B1 A) inventive - means cleverly original in solving problems, the same core meaning as 'ingenious'.
Answer: A) inventive
Question 12
B1 A) dejected - means in low spirits, the same core meaning as 'despondent'.
Answer: A) dejected
Question 13
B1 A) plentiful - is the direct opposite of 'scarce' (in short supply).
Answer: A) plentiful
Question 14
B1 A) deep - is the direct opposite of 'shallow' (having little depth).
Answer: A) deep
Question 15
B1 A) careful - is the direct opposite of 'reckless' (acting without thinking of consequences).
Answer: A) careful
Question 16
B1 A) economical - is the direct opposite of 'extravagant' (spending far more than is needed).
Answer: A) economical
Question 17
B1 A) significant - is the direct opposite of 'trivial' (of little importance).
Answer: A) significant
Question 18
B1 A) ungainly - is the direct opposite of 'graceful' (moving in a smooth, controlled way).
Answer: A) ungainly
Question 19
B1 A) energetic - is the direct opposite of 'lethargic' (lacking energy and enthusiasm).
Answer: A) energetic
Question 20
B1 A) austere - is the direct opposite of 'opulent' (extremely rich and luxurious).
Answer: A) austere
Question 21
B1 A) direct - is the direct opposite of 'evasive' (avoiding a clear or straightforward answer).
Answer: A) direct
Question 22
B1 A) peaceable - is the direct opposite of 'belligerent' (hostile and eager to fight).
Answer: A) peaceable
Question 23
B1 A) content - is the direct opposite of 'insatiable' (impossible to satisfy).
Answer: A) content
Question 24
B1 A) thorough - is the direct opposite of 'perfunctory' (done with the least possible effort or care).
Answer: A) thorough
Question 25
B1 B) timorous - means fearful and lacking confidence, the opposite of the bravery shared by the other four words.
Answer: B) timorous
Question 26
B1 B) miserly - means mean and unwilling to spend money, the opposite of the generosity shared by the other four words.
Answer: B) miserly
Question 27
B1 B) impecunious - means having little or no money, the opposite of the wealth shared by the other four words.
Answer: B) impecunious
Question 28
B1 B) squalid - means extremely dirty and unpleasant, the opposite of the cleanliness shared by the other four words.
Answer: B) squalid
Question 29
B1 B) placid - means calm and not easily upset, the opposite of the bad temper shared by the other four words.
Answer: B) placid
Question 30
B1 B) listless - means lacking energy or enthusiasm, the opposite of the keen interest shared by the other four words.
Answer: B) listless
Question 31
B1 B) unsightly - means unattractive to look at, the opposite of the beauty shared by the other four words.
Answer: B) unsightly
Question 32
B1 B) infirm - means physically weak, especially through age or illness, the opposite of the vigour and health shared by the other four words.