English Language

Vocabulary and Synonyms

17,324 Questions

Vocabulary and synonyms are essential components of English language sections across competitive exams. This topic tests word associations, context meanings, and precise vocabulary skills. Regular practice helps test takers score higher in SSC, banking, and railway recruitment tests.

Finding exact synonymsWord substitutionVocabulary in contextAssociated word groups

Vocabulary and Synonyms Questions

Multiple choice

Directions: The words given in the options represent things collected in the given phrase. Choose the best option.

A posse of

  1. students

  2. executives

  3. constables

  4. jury
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

A 'posse' is the correct collective noun for constables - historically, it referred to a group of law enforcement officers summoned by a sheriff. Students form a 'class', executives form a 'board' or 'c-suite', and jury is itself a collective term.

Multiple choice

Which forms of the word: "pacify" will fit the sentences given below?

It is very important to attract a child’s attention in order to _____ him. Cigarettes are __ for adults. He does not encourage _____ nor does he endorse war.

  1. pacificate, pacifiers, pacifism

  2. pacify, pacifiers, pacifism

  3. pacify, pacified, pacifiers

  4. pacificate, pacificated, pacifiers
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The first blank needs the verb 'pacify' to calm the child. The second refers to soothing objects, requiring the plural noun 'pacifiers'. The third names the philosophy of opposing war, which is 'pacifism'.

Multiple choice

Which forms of the word: "quarrel” will fit the sentences given below?

Robin was facing problems due to family ____. Her _ behaviour was not at all appreciated at the party. Paul keeps on ____ with his younger brother all the time.

  1. quarrel, quarrelling, quarrels

  2. quarrels, quarrelsome, quarrelling

  3. quarrel, quarrelsome, quarrels

  4. quarrels, quarrelling, quarrelsome
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The first sentence uses 'quarrels' (plural noun) for family conflicts. The second needs 'quarrelsome' (adjective) to describe behavior. The third uses 'quarrelling' (present participle) with 'keeps on'.

Multiple choice

Which forms of the word: "offend" will fit the sentences given below?

Tina _____ her host by not saying “thank you”. The question she asked was really __. A convicted drug _____ was sentenced to life imprisonment.

  1. offended, offensive, offender

  2. offending, offended, offensive

  3. offending, offender, offender

  4. offended, offender, offensive
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The correct forms are: offended (past tense verb 'Tina offended her host'), offensive (adjective 'the question was really offensive'), and offender (noun 'a convicted drug offender'). This sequence requires the verb form for an action in the past, the adjective form to describe the question's nature, and the noun form for the person who commits the offense.

Multiple choice

Which forms of the word: "manipulate" will fit the sentences given below?

Many politicians _____ the facts so that they can deceive the public. The lady was so __ that she easily swindled the old woman. Through lies and cunning _____, he became a successful person but for a short period of time.

  1. manipulated, manipulative, manipulation

  2. manipulate, manipulated, manipulative

  3. manipulated, manipulated, manipulative

  4. manipulate, manipulative, manipulation
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The correct forms are: manipulate (present tense base verb, 'Many politicians manipulate the facts'), manipulative (adjective, 'she was so manipulative'), and manipulation (noun, 'cunning manipulation'). Option D correctly uses the base form for habitual actions, the adjective to describe character, and the noun for the abstract concept of manipulative behavior.

Multiple choice

Directions: Select the correct option that can be combined with the word given in bold capitals to make a compound word.

OUT

  1. ing

  2. lying

  3. with

  4. take
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The word 'OUT' combines with 'lying' to form 'outlying' - a compound word meaning remote or situated away from the center. The other options don't form valid compound words with 'OUT': 'outing' is a valid word but not formed as a compound in this context, 'outwith' is not a word, and 'outtake' exists but is not the best fit.

Multiple choice

Directions: Select the correct option that can be combined with the word given in bold capitals to make a compound word.

CART

  1. skin

  2. wheel

  3. horn

  4. hub
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

'CART' combines with 'wheel' to form 'cartwheel' - a compound word referring to the wheel of a cart or the gymnastic maneuver. The other combinations don't form common compound words: 'cartskin', 'carthorn', and 'carthub' are not recognized compound words in English.

Multiple choice

Directions: Select the correct option that can be combined with the word given in bold capitals to make a compound word.

TIMBER

  1. plant

  2. saw

  3. line

  4. land
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

'TIMBER' combines with 'line' to form 'timberline' - a compound word referring to the elevation on a mountain above which trees cannot grow (also called tree line). 'Timberplant', 'timbersaw', and 'timberland' (though timberland exists as a word, it's not formed in the same way) are not the best compound word matches in this context.