Closest in Meaning: Practice Set 2
Closest in Meaning: Practice Set 2 is a second practice round for the same question type as Closest in Meaning, giving one capitalised word followed by five options and asking which single word has nearly the same meaning, using a fresh set of words that are, on average, a little less common than the first set. It continues to test the breadth of a pupil's vocabulary and their ability to spot subtle differences between similar-sounding options.
Method
- Cover the five options and think of your own synonym for the capitalised word first.
- Read all five options before choosing, because more than one may seem plausible at a glance.
- Rule out any option that means the opposite or something unrelated to the capitalised word.
- Watch for options that are linked to the word's topic but do not share its core meaning, rather than being a true synonym.
- Choose the option that could swap directly into a sentence in place of the capitalised word without changing the meaning.
- If two options seem close, pick the one that matches the exact strength or degree of the original word.
Worked example
Choose the word closest in meaning to METICULOUS. A) careless B) precise C) quick D) generous E) confident
- METICULOUS means showing great care and attention to detail.
- CARELESS is the opposite of METICULOUS, so rule it out straight away.
- QUICK, GENEROUS and CONFIDENT each describe a different quality, speed, generosity or self-belief, rather than careful attention to detail.
- PRECISE means exact and careful, matching METICULOUS most closely in both meaning and strength.
- Final answer: B) precise.
Practice questions
Type your answer and press Check to be marked straight away, or reveal the answer and mark yourself.
Q1Choose the word closest in meaning to ABUNDANT. A) scarce B) plentiful C) average D) limited E) rareShow answer
Answer: B) plentiful
Q2Choose the word closest in meaning to CANDID. A) dishonest B) secretive C) honest D) shy E) formalShow answer
Answer: C) honest
Q3Choose the word closest in meaning to DILIGENT. A) lazy B) hardworking C) careless D) forgetful E) slowShow answer
Answer: B) hardworking
Q4Choose the word closest in meaning to FRAGILE. A) sturdy B) delicate C) heavy D) flexible E) solidShow answer
Answer: B) delicate
Q5Choose the word closest in meaning to HOSTILE. A) friendly B) unfriendly C) calm D) nervous E) politeShow answer
Answer: B) unfriendly
Q6Choose the word closest in meaning to TRANQUIL. A) noisy B) chaotic C) peaceful D) busy E) anxiousShow answer
Answer: C) peaceful
Exam-style questions
Written in the style of a 11+ exam paper, with a full mark scheme.
Choose the word closest in meaning to OBSTINATE, and explain your choice in one short phrase. A) flexible B) stubborn C) shy D) careless E) kind
Show mark scheme
Tick each line you got. Your score builds from the marks on the scheme.
Nothing ticked yet - 2 available
Choose the word closest in meaning to FRUGAL, then explain why one of the wrong options does not mean the same thing. A) wasteful B) generous C) thrifty D) careless E) wealthy
Show mark scheme
Tick each line you got. Your score builds from the marks on the scheme.
Nothing ticked yet - 3 available
Choose the word closest in meaning to TENACIOUS, then explain why two of the other options are not correct. A) weak B) persistent C) careless D) forgetful E) calm
Show mark scheme
Tick each line you got. Your score builds from the marks on the scheme.
Nothing ticked yet - 4 available
Free printable worksheet
Want more practice on paper? Download the closest in meaning: practice set 2 worksheet pack - 9 pages of exam-style questions with a full mark scheme. One email opens every download in this browser for 14 days - no account, no card. Print it for personal and classroom use.
This topic is chapter 10 of 11+ Verbal Reasoning Workbook 3, the whole course as one free printable PDF.
Next topics
Not quite what you needed?
Tell us what is missing on closest in meaning: practice set 2, or which topic to write up next. Every request is read, and we reply to every one.
Build a full practice pack.
This topic is one of hundreds in the library - pick the ones a student needs and generate a printable PDF in minutes.